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diff --git a/old/67500-0.txt b/old/67500-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index dd714ff..0000000 --- a/old/67500-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5106 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Fame and Fortune Weekly, No. 10, -December 8, 1905, by Self-Made Man - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Fame and Fortune Weekly, No. 10, December 8, 1905 - A Copper Harvest; or, The Boys who Worked a Deserted Mine - -Author: Self-Made Man - -Release Date: February 25, 2022 [eBook #67500] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, SF2001, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern - Illinois University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, NO. -10, DECEMBER 8, 1905 *** - - - - - -Fame and Fortune Weekly - -STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY - -_Issued Weekly--By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to -Act of Congress, in the year 1905, in the office of the Librarian of -Congress, Washington, D. C., by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 24 Union -Square, New York._ - -=No. 10= NEW YORK, DECEMBER 8, 1905. =Price 5 Cents= - - - - - A Copper Harvest; - OR, - THE BOYS WHO WORKED A DESERTED MINE. - -=By A SELF-MADE MAN.= - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -BACK TO LIFE. - - -“He’s the most lifelike corpse I ever saw in my life, and I’ve seen -several in my time,” said Jack Howard, a stalwart, bronze-featured boy -of seventeen. He looked down at the body stretched out on a slate slab -in the center of the little surgery at the rear of Dr. Phineas Fox’s -drugstore in the town of Sackville, Neb. - -“He certainly does look natural--not at all like the usual run of -subjects that find their way in here occasionally,” admitted his friend -and chum, Charlie Fox, the doctor’s son, holding the kerosene lamp he -carried in his hand well up, so as to bring the dead man into full -relief. - -“What would you imagine he died of?” - -“Want of breath,” snickered Charlie, raising one of the corpse’s arms -and then letting it fall back on the slab with a flop. - -“Funny boy,” grinned Jack. - -“Well, he dropped dead up at Mugging’s farm, where he stopped this -morning and asked for something to eat. Of course he was sent here for -father to hold a post-mortem on to determine the cause of death.” - -Charlie’s father was the leading physician in Sackville. - -He also officiated as coroner in all cases of sudden death occurring in -the county. - -At the present time he was absent on a similar kind of a case at a -village some distance away, and was not expected back until late that -night. - -The doctor and his family lived in a neat little cottage, divided from -his drugstore by the garden, and he was generally considered well-to-do. - -Sackville was a town of some three or four thousand inhabitants, with -outlying farms and farmhouses. - -It was the county seat, and, being the largest place in the county, -country people for miles around traded at its stores. - -A good-sized river skirted its northern boundary, and the traffic in -that direction made Sackville quite a lively place, and consequently of -some local importance. - -Jack Howard was a lad of good family whose people lived in New York. - -A close student, too intense application to his studies had undermined -his general health, and the family physician recommended that he -be sent out West to rough it awhile on the large farm of a distant -relative in Nebraska. - -This farm was about three miles outside of Sackville. - -Jack had already lived and worked like an ordinary farmhand on his -relative’s place for the best part of a year, and his new life had -made an altogether different looking boy of him--so much so, indeed, -that his parents and friends in the East could hardly recognize the -photograph of himself which he had lately sent them. - -He often came to Sackville; and, being a genial, whole-souled kind of a -boy, had made himself popular with all with whom he came in contact. - -This was particularly the case with Charlie Fox, who instantly took an -uncommon fancy to him, and the consequence was that they became chums. - -Charlie had just graduated at the Sackville high school. - -He had taken up the study of medicine under his father a year or so -before, as the old gentleman intended his son should be his successor, -and Charlie rather liked the profession. - -His father proposed to send him to a medical school at Omaha soon, -where he would get hospital practice. - -Jack had come in to visit Charlie that afternoon, and as a matter of -course he stayed to supper. - -Mrs. Fox and her daughter Flora had received him with their usual -hospitality, and after the meal the ladies and the two boys had put in -a very pleasant evening. - -About the time Howard was thinking of mounting his horse to ride back -to the farm a fierce thunder and lightning storm had swooped down on -the town, and so Jack was easily persuaded to postpone his departure -until morning, to Charlie a great satisfaction, for he never tired of -the society of his friend. - -As soon as Charlie’s sister and mother went upstairs for the night the -budding medicus proposed to his chum that they visit the surgery and -inspect the corpse. - -This gruesome suggestion meeting Jack’s approbation, they put on their -hats and made a dash across the garden through the rain. - -Charlie lit the surgery lamp and then turned down the sheet which had -hidden the body from view. - -It was then that Jack made the remark with which this chapter opens. - -“Does your mother and sister know that this body is here?” asked Jack. - -“No,” replied Charlie, shaking his head. - -“Would it bother them any?” - -“Well, they’re rather delicate about having dead ones so close at hand. -Pop always keeps these things a secret; they never have the least idea -there’s going to be an inquest till the jurors come--and not always -then.” - -“Put the lamp on that bracket, Charlie.” - -“You don’t mind staying in here awhile, then?” said his friend, in a -tone of satisfaction, as he placed the lamp on its rest, where the -rays diffused a soft light around the little room and upon the various -bottles and packages with their strange and peculiarly smelling -contents. - -“Not in the least,” answered Jack, heartily, pulling out a small -briar-root pipe and a package of short cut and preparing to have a -smoke. - -“Glad to hear it. Some fellows would have the creeps at the idea of -staying in this place with a corpse.” - -“It doesn’t worry me in the least,” said Jack. “As for you, I suppose -you are used to such things.” - -“I see ’em occasionally, but not often enough to suit me,” replied -Charlie, with professional enthusiasm. “In the last three months, -however, I helped Mold, the undertaker, to lay out half a dozen of his -cases, just to get used to handling dead bodies. I don’t want to be at -all squeamish when I come to cut up parts of subjects on the dissecting -table at Omaha. The old-timers there always have the joke on the -newcomers, and as my father is a surgeon, I don’t want to disgrace the -family, you know.” - -“That’s right. Gee, what a crash!” - -Jack walked over to the window, drew the curtain aside, and glanced out -into the storm, which was now getting in its fine work with a vengeance. - -“I’ll bet that bolt struck a house or barn not far away,” nodded the -embryo medical student. - -“I wouldn’t be surprised,” replied Jack, as he came back to the center -of the room and viewed the face of the dead man meditatively, as if he -was wondering what sort of a character he had been in life. - -The corpse was that of an apparently well-nourished man of about fifty -years of age; the bearded features were coarse and rugged, as if he had -roughed it upon the plains or in the mountains of the West. - -“Looks as if he might have been a miner, eh, Charlie?” suggested Jack. - -“Yes, or a prospector, or something of that sort.” - -“Or maybe a ranchman.” - -“Sure; or a bad man from Piute Flat, or some other tough joint in the -wild and woolly.” - -“Hardly that,” objected his chum. “It is not a bad face, by any -means. I don’t think I should be afraid to trust a fellow with his -physiognomy.” - -“You have more confidence in his face than I have, then. I prefer the -civilized man every day in the year.” - -“For looks, yes; but as for character--well, there are a good many -undesirable individuals walking the streets of our big cities in fine -linen and broadcloth to whom, I dare say, this poor fellow could give -cards and spades in a lesson in morality. You can’t always judge a book -by its cover, old chap.” - -“That isn’t any lie, either,” admitted Charlie. - -The young medical student had produced a cigarette from a flat, square -box he kept hidden away in some mysterious pocket in his jacket, and -lighting it, began to fill the surgery with the odor of Turkish tobacco. - -“I see you smoke coffin-nails occasionally,” said Jack, beaming upon -his friend. “Does the old gentleman stand for that sort of thing?” - -“Hardly,” answered Charlie, with a sly wink. “I have to keep ’em out of -sight when he’s around. I only tackle one once in awhile.” - -Both boys smoked in silence for a moment or two, listening to the -steady downpour of the rain on the tin roof, and the intermingled peals -of thunder. - -The vivid glare of the lightning was apparent in spite of the glow of -the lamp. - -“You’d have caught it in the neck if you had gone home to-night.” - -“I’d have caught it all over, you mean,” grinned Jack. “By the way, you -have a galvanic battery handy?” - -“Yes. What do you want to do with it?” asked his chum, in some surprise. - -“Well, I’ll tell you,” said Howard, confidentially. “This corpse looks -so confounded lifelike that I can’t quite get it out of my head that -maybe he isn’t as dead as he appears to be. It might be a case of -suspended animation, for all you know.” - -“I never thought of that,” replied Charlie, in a startled tone. “I’ll -test him right away, though I guess he’s dead, all right. Father would -do that before he used the knife on him.” - -“What are you going to do?” - -“I’m going to apply a stethoscope over his heart. Then I’ll try the eye -test.” - -“Better get the battery and try that. If it doesn’t produce results -I’ll believe this man is as dead as a door-nail.” - -Charlie stepped to the door leading to the boxlike room at the rear of -the place. - -“Meyer,” he called. - -A short, round-faced German boy answered the hail. - -“Vell, Sharlie, vot is der trouble mit you?” - -“You know where our galvanic battery is, don’t you?” - -“I ped you,” grinned the boy. - -“Is it ready for use?” - -“Yaw, I dink so.” - -“Fetch it into the surgery.” - -“So. I bed me your friend Yack is by the surgery, too, ain’d it?” - -“Yes, he’s there, all right.” - -“Und you vants der battery? You blay some shokes upon dot dead mans, -ain’d it?” - -“Never mind about that. Just do as I tell you,” and Charlie closed the -door. - -In a couple of minutes Meyer Dinkelspeil, Dr. Fox’s boy of all work in -the shop, came in with the box containing the battery. - -“Put it down here, Meyer,” said Jack. “You connect the wire, Charlie, -while I turn the battery. Put the handles in the hands of the corpse.” - -“They are rigid.” - -“Place them between the fingers, then, and hold them tight,” said Jack. - -“Chimmnay cribs!” exclaimed Meyer, looking on with wide open eyes. “You -dink dot you voke him up mit dot foolishness?” - -“Well, if we don’t we’ll try it on you afterwards,” grinned Charlie. - -“You vill I don’d t’ink,” replied the German boy. - -The apparatus being in place, Jack turned the electric current on. - -Every moment the friction became brisker and the power stronger. - -All at once the supposed corpse opened its eyes, which rolled in a -strange manner. - -Then a convulsive movement shook the body, the hands and feet twitched, -and the jaw moved slightly. - -“B’gee!” exclaimed Jack, “the man isn’t dead at all.” - -“Shumping Moses!” ejaculated Meyer, almost frightened out of his skin. -“Let me ouid!” and he made a rush for the door and disappeared. - -“What a chump I was not to have tried that this morning when they -fetched him in here,” said Charlie, as his chum stopped turning the -crank of the galvanic battery. “It was a partial failure of the heart’s -action, producing a trancelike state. Wait; I’ll get some brandy.” - -He rushed into the store, measured out a gill of it, returned, and -poured it down the man’s throat. - -The effect was instantaneous. - -He who but five minutes before had been considered a corpse had -actually come back to animation. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE COPPER SPECIMENS. - - -The man sat up on the slab, where, like many other unfortunate -wretches, he had been placed preparatory to a post mortem. - -He stared wildly around him, not comprehending the circumstances in -which he was placed. - -There was a little of the brandy left in the graduating glass, and -Charlie held it to his lips. - -He gripped the boy’s hands with his two great, rough fists, almost -crushing the glass, and eagerly drained the liquor off. - -Then he coughed, blinked his eyes, and sliding off the table, stood up. - -He would have fallen, for he was as helpless as a scarecrow. But -Charlie caught and supported him. - -“Feel better now, do you?” asked the doctor’s son. - -“Yes, kinder so; only I feel plaguey weak, and I’m stone cold.” - -Charlie assisted him to the only chair in the surgery. - -“What’s been the matter with me, and where am I? This is a doctor’s -shop, isn’t it?” he added, looking around and observing the bottles and -instruments. - -“You were brought here this morning,” explained Charlie. - -“This morning!” exclaimed the man, looking up at the lamp in its -bracket. “And is it night now?” - -“That’s what it is.” - -“I must have been a long time out of my head, then, youngster,” he -said, with a look of perplexity on his features. - -“You were more than that.” - -“How’s that?” - -“You fell down--to all appearance dead--at the Mugging’s farm, three -miles outside of town, and you were brought here to await an inquest.” - -“Fell down dead!” gasped the stranger, with a look of blank dismay. - -“That’s right. If you hadn’t come to under the influence of that -battery--which my chum suggested applying to you because you looked so -lifelike--my father would have carved you up in the morning to find out -what caused your death.” - -“By the great hornspoon!” cried the man, who had apparently been -snatched from the grave by the experiment of Jack Howard. “I knowed it -would come to this some day. I’m subject to epileptic fits. I’ve always -been afeard I’d be buried alive in one of them.” - -“You’ve had a narrow escape,” chipped in Jack, highly pleased at the -success of his galvanic treatment. - -“I guess I had,” admitted the man, breathing hard and looking around -him with a fearsome expression. “I’m very grateful to you young chaps -for what you’ve done for me.” - -“Don’t mention it,” replied Jack. “We’re mighty glad we were able to -pull you around. If you don’t mind, we should be pleased to know who -you are.” - -“My name is Gideon Prawle. I’m a prospector and miner by occupation, -but just at present I guess I ain’t much better’n a tramp. I’m out -of luck, that’s all. But I’ve seen the time when I was worth a cool -hundred thousand. But I spent it in drink, at the gaming table, and I -was robbed of a good bit of it, and that’s the whole story. I’ve been a -blamed fool, but I hope to do better yet afore I die. I know something -that ought to be worth another hundred thousand to me, and when I -realize on it I shan’t forget you young fellows, not by a jugful.” - -“You needn’t worry about us,” said Charlie, cheerfully, winking at -Jack, as if it was his opinion the man had wheels in his head. “We -don’t expect to be paid for what we did for you.” - -The man saw the wink, and was evidently offended. - -“Look here, my lads,” he said gruffly; “you think because I look like a -tramp that I’m a regular hobo--maybe that I’m talking through my hat. I -reckon I kin prove what I say.” - -Then he began looking around the room. - -“I had a grip with me this morning. Do you know what became of it?” - -“I guess that’s it over in the corner,” said Charlie, pointing. “I took -hold of it awhile ago, and I must say it’s precious heavy. What have -you got in it--gold?” he concluded, with a grin. - -“Fetch it here and I’ll show you,” said Prawle. - -Charlie brought it forward and laid it at the man’s feet. - -The stranger started to bend down to undo the straps, but fell back in -the chair with a groan. - -“Give me another drink!” he gasped, plaintively, while the perspiration -indicative of physical weakness appeared on his forehead. - -Charlie rushed into the shop for more brandy and returned in a moment. - -Gideon Prawle gulped it down at a draught, and it brought him instant -relief. - -“That’s good stuff, and it warms me innards nicely,” he said, smacking -his lips with a sigh of satisfaction. - -“It’s the best in Sackville,” said Charlie. “It’s none of your common -saloon firewater. No, sir; that is kept exclusively for the sick.” - -“I believe you,” said the Westerner. “Now, if I might ask you another -favor, it would be in the shape of something to eat. I’m most -famished. Ain’t had a mouthful since yesterday afternoon.” - -“Sure thing,” replied Charlie, with alacrity. “I ought to have thought -of that myself. Meyer,” he called, stepping to the surgery door. - -The German boy poked his head into the room in fear and trepidation. - -“Vat haf you done mit der corpse?” he asked, seeing the slab vacant. - -Then, as his eyes roved to the chair, his hair almost stood on end with -fright. - -“Mein Gott! Vot is dot?” - -“Don’t be a fool, Meyer,” said Charlie impatiently, grabbing him in -time to prevent him making a bolt. “The man was not dead. He was only -in a trance, and we brought him out of it with the battery.” - -“So,” replied the German boy, gazing at the stranger in fearful -wonderment, “he been in dose transes under dot sheets der whole -lifelong day, ain’t it? Vot a great dings dose battery vos, I ped you.” - -“Go into the house, Meyer, and see what you can pick up in the pantry -in the way of a cold bite. Fetch a jug of milk from the cellar.” - -Meyer opened the door leading to the garden and looked out. - -The storm had passed over the town by this time and was receding in a -northwesterly direction. - -“You’ll find the entry door unlocked, Meyer,” added Charlie. “See that -you don’t make any unnecessary noise.” - -“I vill look oud, I ped you,” replied Dinkelspeil. “Off I voke der cook -ub I vouldn’t heard der last off it purty soon I dink.” - -Then he vanished into the night. - -Gideon Prawle, feeling better after the reaction, began undoing the -straps of his grip. - -Then he fumbled in his pocket for the key. - -After taking out a somewhat rumpled shirt, a suit of underclothes and a -couple of pair of socks, Prawle said: - -“Now, young gents, I’m going to show you some of the finest specimens -of real virgin copper ever dug out of mother earth.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed Charlie, a slight shade of disappointment in his voice, -“I thought it was gold or silver quartz you had there. But copper----” - -“Young man,” said Prawle, diving one hairy paw into his grip and -fishing out a magnificent specimen of raw copper, “look at that and -hold your breath. There is ninety per cent of copper in that hunk. -Think of that! It has only to be separated from its rocky matrix, when -it is ready for market. That chunk, just as I took it from the mine, -where there are thousands and thousands of tons of it waiting to be dug -out, is almost chemically pure copper. That mine, young gentlemen, is -a marvel. There’s millions in it. Nothing in this country to match it -outside of the great Calumet and Hecla mine of Michigan, which has an -annual production of 50,000,000 pounds.” - -Jack Howard examined the specimen with great interest. - -“Where is this mine you speak of?” - -Gideon Prawle winked one eye expressively and moistened his lips with -his tongue. - -“It’s in Montana,” he said, with a significant grin. - -“That’s a pretty big State,” said Jack. “Whereabouts in Montana?” - -“That’s my secret,” said Prawle, “and I’m going to Chicago to sell it.” - -“Then you have really located a valuable copper deposit?” asked Jack -with kindling eyes, for he had a strong enthusiasm for anything -connected with mines and minerals. - -“That’s the size of it, young gent. It’s an old, deserted surface -copper mine that was originally worked after a rude fashion by the -Injuns, or some other folks who didn’t know its value. There’s millions -of pounds there waiting for modern methods to bring it up to the light -of day.” - -Jack and Charlie looked at the several rich specimens Prawle laid out -for their inspection, and then at one another. - -Evidently this tramplike man, whom they had so strangely brought back -to life, had stumbled on to a good thing. - -Both of the boys had read stories of similar good things having been -discovered by the merest accident, and the tales had excited their -imagination at the time. - -But this was different. - -Here was evidence of a thrilling fact, and this prospect of sudden -wealth, as it were, could not fail to have its effect on the two lads. - -At this point Meyer made his appearance with an abundant cold repast, -which, being placed before the stranger, he attacked like a famished -wolf. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE FACE AT THE WINDOW. - - -“Then you actually own the mine you have been speaking of?” said Jack -Howard, regarding Gideon Prawle with a fresh interest. - -Had the boy at that moment looked toward the window of the surgery, -which had been raised a couple of inches a few moments before by -Charlie Fox, he might have noticed that there was an uninvited listener -outside. - -This eavesdropper was Otis Clymer, late dispensing clerk for Dr. -Fox, who had been discharged for his irregular habits and pilfering -propensities. - -The man had made himself unpopular in Sackville, and, but for the -softness of the doctor’s heart, would have long since been sent away. - -He had an evil heart, and instead of leaving town, where he could not -hope to get suitable employment, he had hung about the lowest drinking -resorts in the place and meditated upon revenge. - -At this moment he was somewhat under the influence of liquor, and had -made his way to the rear of the drugstore for the purpose of setting it -on fire if he could find the chance to put his dastardly project into -effect. - -He was somewhat surprised to find that the little surgery was occupied, -and he hung about and listened, hoping the coast would soon be clear. - -What he heard through the opening at the bottom of the window, however, -completely changed his purpose. - -“Yes, siree, bob! I own the ground that there mine is located on,” -said Prawle, with his mouth full of food, in answer to Jack Howard’s -question. “At least I’ve a sixty-day option on it, which amounts to the -same thing.” - -“Then you didn’t have the money to buy it out and out?” asked Jack. - -“No, I didn’t. Didn’t I tell you I’ve been in hard luck? I had just -$100 in my clothes when I discovered that there ground was worth -the buying, so I gave it up on account to the feller that owned the -diggings. He wanted to sell so bad that he chucked in his shanty with -it; not that it’s worth a sight more’n so much kindling wood.” - -“How much ground did you buy?” - -“I should think he had about four acres staked out.” - -“And what did the whole thing cost you, Mr. Prawle?” asked Jack, full -of curiosity. - -“Well, it cost me $100 down, with $200 to come when I get back with the -dust.” - -“Pretty cheap for a real copper mine,” spoke up Charlie. - -“You don’t s’pose he’d have sold it for that if he’d known as much -about it as I did? Not by a jugful.” - -“Was he a prospector, too?” inquired Jack. - -“Jim Sanders wasn’t much of anything that I know. An old pard of his -owned the ground and turned it over to Jim when he died. Sanders -thought more of his booze than anything else; that’s why he wanted -to realize. He had no use for the ground, and as it hadn’t cost him -anything it was like finding money to sell it for anything at all.” - -“And you’re going to Chicago to raise money to work the mine--is that -your plan?” - -“That’s the idea exactly. And I shan’t forget you two chaps in the -deal, neither. You saved my life. If I had petered out here on that -there table I shouldn’t have got any good out of the Pandora.” - -“The Pandora!” exclaimed Charlie. - -“Exactly. That’s the name I’ve given to the mine. It’ll look good on -the engraved certificates when the company is formed: ‘The Pandora -Copper Mining Company,’ Gideon Prawle, president. Maybe you’d like to -be secretary, young man?” and he looked keenly at Jack Howard. - -“I should rather enjoy the sensation of being secretary to a successful -enterprise of that kind.” - -“Would you? Well, perhaps you shall, for I’ve taken a liking to you. -That reminds me you haven’t either of you told me your names.” - -“Mine is Jack Howard, and this is my friend and chum, Charlie Fox. His -father owns this store, and is the doctor who was going to hold the -inquest on you when he got back to town.” - -“I’m afraid he’ll be disapp’inted,” chuckled Gideon Prawle, taking a -long drink at the milk jug. - -“He’ll be rather pleased than otherwise,” ventured Charlie. - -“Is that a fact?” said the stranger from the West. “I always thought -doctors enj’yed cutting folks up so as to get at their innards.” - -“There are exceptions,” replied Charlie, grinning at Jack. - -“What’s the name of this town?” - -“Sackville.” - -“S’pose you get me a piece of paper, so’s I can put that down along -with your names. I want to do what’s right by you young gents.” - -Charlie got him a sheet of note-paper and a pencil. - -Prawle set to work to jot down what he wanted to preserve for future -reference; but it was easy to see that he was more used to handling -a shovel or a pick, or something of that sort, than a pen or pencil, -though he seemed to be a fairly well educated man, for his language was -uncommonly good for a man of his appearance. - -“If you were only going west now instead of east I should be tempted to -go along with you,” said Jack, with a new-born enthusiasm for the great -Northwest. - -“Would you now?” replied Prawle, laying down his pencil and regarding -Jack attentively. - -“Yes. I came out West for my health, and have made myself a new man in -a year. My people, who live in New York, look for me to return soon, -but I’d rather rough it awhile longer, though not at farming, which is -the way I’ve been putting in my time since I came out here. I always -had a liking for mining. And I should fancy nothing better than getting -an interest in a mine and putting in some big licks, if they would pan -me out a fortune. Such things come to some people; why not to me?” - -“That’s right, young man. I calculate you’re the man for my money. I’m -going to give you an interest in my mine.” - -“I’m willing to work for my share,” said Jack, earnestly. - -“Oh, there’ll be plenty of work for you, I dare say, by and by when the -company’s formed.” - -“And how about my chum here?” - -“He shall have an interest, too.” - -“By shinger!” interrupted Meyer Dinkelspeil from the background, where -he had been an interested listener and observer of the proceedings, -“vhere don’t I come in in dose deals? Off Yack und Sharley pulled -you togedder wit der battery, I put someding better as dot in your -stomyack.” - -“Haw, haw, haw!” roared the man from the West as he looked at the -full-moon countenance of the German boy. - -“Haw, haw, haw, yourseluf!” snorted Meyer indignantly. “I don’t see -nottings funny in dot. Vot’s der madder mit you, any vay?” - -“Would you like to rough it out in the mines, Meyer?” asked Jack, with -a wink at his chum. - -“Off dere vos plenty off moneys in dot I rough it yust as well as der -next fellow, I ped you.” - -“Why, they wouldn’t do a thing to you out there,” grinned Charlie. - -“Is dot so?” retorted Meyer, incredulously. “Don’d you dink dot I took -care off mineseluf yust so well as you or Yack?” - -“S’pose you ran up against a bad man with a gun, what would you do?” -asked Jack, with a wink at Prawle. - -“Vot vould I done? I toldt you petter after I found me one off dose -kind of snoozers.” - -“I’m thinking if you acted as sassy as you do to us he’d fill you full -of lead.” - -“Is dot so-o-. He vould I don’d dink.” - -“Well,” laughed Prawle, “I guess I’ll take you in with us--that is, if -you’ll agree to go out to the mine and make yourself useful.” - -“I done dot purty quick, I ped you,” said Meyer, eagerly. “I’m dot sick -of dese places dot I shump der ranch so soon as now off you spoke der -vord.” - -“Why, I thought you wanted to become a doctor, Meyer?” grinned Jack. - -“Vell, you know vot thought done, ain’d it?” - -“My father wouldn’t want to lose so valuable an assistant as you, -Meyer,” said Charlie. - -“Off I vos you I vould forget id,” retorted the German boy, a bit -crustily, for he could see that the doctor’s son was chaffing him. - -“I tell you what,” said Jack, enthusiastically, “why couldn’t we go -out to this place in Montana and take a look at the mine? This is your -vacation, Charlie. You have more than four weeks yet ahead of you -before you have to be in Omaha. We can let Mr. Prawle have the money to -complete the purchase of the ground, so there won’t be any hitch about -that. Then we could pay his way on to Chicago after that, and I would -go with him to see that the mining promoter he picks out doesn’t do him -up.” - -“B’gee!” exclaimed Charlie, alive at once to the proposal, “it will be -just the thing. If I represent the matter right to my father, he won’t -object.” - -“What do you say to that, Mr. Prawle? Will you go back with Charlie, -myself----” - -“Und dis shicken, don’d forget dot, off you blease,” piped Meyer. - -“And Meyer Dinkelspeil,” continued Jack. “We’ll put up the $200 and all -expenses; and afterward I’ll see you through to Chicago.” - -“Do you mean it, young gentlemen?” said Gideon Prawle, interested in -the proposal. - -“Certainly we mean it,” replied Jack. - -“Then it’s a bargain. I look on you now as my partners in the -enterprise. Now, I’ll show you the paper by which I hold claim to the -mine.” - -Whereupon Prawle took out an old red pocketbook, extracted a not -overclean bit of paper, which he unfolded and spread out on the slab -which had lately been his bed. - -“There’s my option on the ground,” he said, complacently. “The mine is -situated at the head of Beaver Creek, three miles southeast of Rocky -Gulch mining camp, and a mile eastward of the trail. The creek runs -into the north branch of the Cheyenne River, which flows past Trinity, -a railroad town, so that the copper can be easily shipped by rail -East. Here’s a map, with all the points named, which I drew up to show -its location in the State. Young gentlemen, it was a lucky day for you -that you came to know Gideon Prawle.” - -“And it was a lucky thing for you, Mr. Prawle, that I thought of -applying the galvanic battery to your body,” replied Jack Howard, with -a significant smile. - -“Well, you shan’t never regret it,” answered the prospector heartily. - -At that moment the clock in the surgery struck midnight. - -Hardly had the last stroke died away when Meyer Dinkelspeil suddenly -started to his feet and, pointing toward the window, exclaimed -excitedly: - -“By shinger! Look, vunce by der vinder--quick! Somepody vos looking in.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A FIENDISH ACT. - - -Meyer’s sudden exclamation rather startled the group, and every eye was -turned to the window. - -If any one had been looking in, he had taken immediate alarm and -vanished, for there wasn’t the sign of an eavesdropper to be seen. - -Jack, however, rushed to the window and threw it up. - -He looked up and down the street. - -No one was in sight at that hour. - -It was possible though for an active person to have sneaked around in -front of the closed drugstore and made his escape by way of the cross -street. - -“I guess you imagined you saw somebody, Meyer,” said Jack, as he closed -the window. - -“I don’d dink,” asserted the German boy, stoutly. “Off I didn’t see der -faces off dot Otis Clymer, I’m a liar.” - -“Otis Clymer!” exclaimed Charlie Fox, blankly. - -“Dot’s vot I said, I bed you.” - -“What could he want around here at this hour of the night?” - -“Nottings goot, off you took mine vord for id,” said Meyer, wagging his -head sagely. “Dot rooster vos a bad egg.” - -“That’s no lie, Meyer,” nodded Charlie, as if that fact had been patent -to him for some time. - -Just then a buggy drove up and turned into the yard of the Fox home. - -Dr. Fox had returned, and, noting the unusual feature of a light in the -surgery, he lost no time in making an investigation. - -He opened the back door and walked into the room. - -“What is the meaning of this gathering?” he asked a bit severely of his -son. “Why aren’t you in bed, Charlie?” - -Then he noticed Jack Howard, and nodded to him. - -“Meyer, go to the stable and put the rig up,” he said to the German -boy, who was the only one he had expected to find up waiting his return. - -It was up to Charley to explain matters, and he hastened to do so. - -Dr. Fox was amazed to find that the subject whom he had expected to -hold an inquest on had come back to life in so astonishing a way. - -He looked the man over with not a little curiosity, felt of his pulse, -and then intimated that he guessed he didn’t stand in need of any -treatment. - -“I don’t wish to unnecessarily alarm you, sir,” he said to Gideon -Prawle, “but it is probable you will die in one of those fits some day.” - -“Then I hope that day may not be soon,” replied the man from the West. - -“You may not have another one in years, and then again you may have one -in a month. It is impossible to say,” was all the consolation Dr. Fox -could offer him. - -“If you wouldn’t mind, I’ll turn in here on the floor for the night,” -said the Western man. “I’m used to roughing it. If you had a blanket, -it’s all I ask.” - -“I’d offer you a bed, if I had a spare one,” said the doctor; “but -since you’re contented to stay here I’ll send you a blanket.” - -This arrangement being quite satisfactory to Prawle, a blanket was -presently brought to him by Meyer Dinkelspeil, and fifteen minutes -later all was dark and silent in the surgery. - -For a full hour there was no movement in the vicinity of the drugstore -or the Fox cottage, yet all this time a form was hidden in the shadow -of a big bush in the garden. - -The intruder was Otis Clymer. - -The night air had somewhat cleared his brain of the effects of the -liquor he had imbibed early in the evening, and now his thoughts were -busy with what he had seen and overheard in the surgery. - -“If I could get hold of that paper--the option that fellow has on the -ground where he discovered that valuable copper deposit--as well as -the map and directions for locating the place, I should be a made man -for life. I must manage it somehow. The man is doubtless asleep in the -surgery long before this, and I have a duplicate key to the door which -will readily admit me. Perhaps the fellow is a light sleeper and might -hear me come in. That would be awkward for me, for he looks like a -strong customer. Well, nothing venture, nothing win. It’s the chance -of a lifetime. Then I shall want more money than I’ve got to get out -there, not speaking of the $200 due on the ground. I must get a partner -in with me, and who better than Dave Plunkett, who runs the joint where -I’m stopping? He’ll back me in a good thing for half of the pickings. -So, those boys propose going to the mine, do they? Ho, ho, ho! Not if -I get my finger in the pie first. It must be one o’clock by this time. -I’ll wait a while longer, and then I’ll make the attempt.” - -Otis Clymer waited till half-past one o’clock, and then he left his -damp berth under the big bush and approached the surgery door. - -The moonshine projected his shadow across the turf, but for all the -noise he made he might have passed for a ghost. - -He cautiously inserted the key he had stolen into the lock and softly -turned it. - -Then he passed into the building like a shadow, and the door closed -behind him. - -The sound of deep breathing in one corner of the surgery located the -sleeping man from the West, although Clymer could not distinguish his -form very well in the darkness. - -But the discharged drug clerk had planned what he would do, and, now -that he was inside, he started to put his scheme in practice. - -“I may as well kill two birds with one stone while I’m about it,” he -muttered, moving softly toward the door leading into the shop. - -The place was so familiar to him that he had no difficulty in finding -his way about in the gloom. - -He lit a small night lamp on the prescription counter; then he took -down the bottle containing chloroform, and, not finding a rag suitable -for his purpose, pulled out his handkerchief and soaked it with the -stuff. - -Then, taking the lamp with him, he re-entered the surgery. - -Gideon Prawle lay curled up like a tired man close to the window -overlooking the street. - -Otis Clymer looked down at him with some curiosity. - -The man had made a pillow of his coat, in one of the pockets of which -were the papers the ex-drug clerk coveted. - -His gray woolen shirt, open at the throat, exposed his broad shaggy -breast where it came into view beneath his heavy, unkempt brown beard. - -He certainly looked like a tough customer. - -Clymer had resolved to drug the man into insensibility in order to -avert the possibility of a personal encounter with him. - -He knelt down by his side, and gently laid the saturated handkerchief -over his face. - -“That’ll quiet him effectually,” said the clerk, grimly. - -Then he straightened up and waited. - -After sufficient time had elapsed for the drug to operate, Clymer -removed the handkerchief and looked at his victim. - -Once more Gideon Prawle was the picture of death. - -“He’s safe. Now for the papers.” - -With no fear that he would be interrupted in his nefarious project -Clymer went deliberately about his work. - -He pulled the coat from under Prawle’s head and began to rummage the -inside pockets for the faded red pocketbook he had seen the man produce -before the boys. - -Of course he found it. - -“One wouldn’t think such a disreputable looking affair as this -contained the germ of a big fortune,” he whispered to himself, while -his little gray eyes twinkled greedily as he nervously fumbled with the -rubber strap which held it together. - -The option given by Jim Sanders was soon in his fingers, and he perused -it eagerly. - -After that he examined the directions which located the position of the -mine. - -There were also some newspaper clippings touching the recent market -price of copper, as well as other odds and ends, which didn’t interest -Clymer at that moment. - -Returning all the documents to the pocketbook he restrapped it and put -it into his pocket. - -“That ought to satisfy Plunkett that I’ve a good thing in sight. I’ll -offer him a third interest as an inducement for him to put up the money -necessary to win out. If the mine is as valuable as this fellow, who -seems to be an expert in such matters, asserts it to be, Plunkett and I -will surely make a fortune.” - -Clymer looked around the room with a wicked expression in his eyes. - -“What’s one life more or less?” he muttered. “Nothing. They’ll think -he got up in the night and accidentally set fire to the place. Thus, -I’ll have my revenge on Fox for discharging me from the shop, and no -one will be any the wiser. Ha! matters couldn’t have worked out more my -way if I had arranged everything beforehand. With this man out of the -way, the papers gone, the boys will have to give up their fascinating -scheme of going out to the Northwest, and the way will be clear and -easy for Plunkett and myself. I knew I was not born to have to drudge -for a beggarly living. No; it takes money to see life, and money is now -almost within my grasp.” - -Clymer then took the night lamp and re-entering the back of the -drugstore lifted a trap leading to the cellar. - -Descending the stairs he went directly to a particular corner, where he -knew a certain inflammable acid was kept in a large globular bottle of -green glass, enclosed in a wooden framework for protection. - -He took a quart measure, which lay on top of another carboy, and filled -it with the fluid. - -Then he returned to the surgery and began to sprinkle the stuff about -on the floor and upon the surfaces of the walls. - -This atrocious piece of work completed, he went to the door and looked -out. - -All was as silent as before. - -Not a sound save the gentle sighing of the early morning breeze through -the branches and leaves of the trees that lined the street. - -The moon, shining over the roof of the Fox cottage, threw his figure -into bold relief as he stood there in the doorway. - -It lighted up the malignant grin which spread over his features as he -glanced over at the doctor’s house. - -“It’s a nice awakening you’ll have in a few minutes, doc,” he chuckled -sardonically. “It isn’t much you have gained by giving me the sack. No -man does me dirt but I get back at him for it.” - -Then he shut the door again, leaving it slightly ajar, so that nothing -might hinder the rapidity of his escape as soon as he had put the -finishing touch to his contemplated crime. - -This he hastened to do. - -He made a torch of an old newspaper, ignited one end at the night lamp, -and then touched the acid-sprinkled floor here and there, and wherever -the fire of the torch touched the wood weird blue flames sprang into -being and spread themselves out. - -Then, with a malevolent laugh, Clymer threw the half-burned torch into -the middle of the floor, dashed open the surgery door and sprang out -into--the arms of Jack Howard. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -WITHIN AN INCH OF HIS LIFE. - - -“Otis Clymer, what are you doing here at this hour in the morning?” -exclaimed Jack, holding a strong grip on the struggling clerk. - -“None of your business--let me go!” gritted the villain, using every -effort to free himself. - -Then Jack caught a glimpse of the spreading fire through the half-open -surgery door, and the sight clearly startled him. - -“You rascal,” he shouted. “You’ve set fire to the store.” - -Clymer, fairly frantic at the idea that he had been caught in the act -of not only destroying the doctor’s establishment, but also a human -life, struck the boy a heavy blow in the face. - -Half stunned, Jack partially released his hold on Clymer, and the -villain, taking advantage of that fact, wrenched himself free, tripped -the lad up and rushed out of the garden into the street and disappeared. - -Jack, however, pulled himself together in a moment, and seeing that -Clymer was beyond his reach he banged open the surgery door and rushed -inside that he might ascertain the extent of the danger. - -The glare of the fire showed him the ghastly countenance of Gideon -Prawle turned toward the ceiling. - -“Wake up! Wake up, Prawle! The place is on fire!” cried Jack, seizing -the man from the West and shaking him roughly. - -But Prawle never made a move of his own accord, but lay like a log in -the boy’s grasp. - -“What’s the matter with you? Wake up!” - -Jack grabbed him with both hands and pulled him up into a sitting -posture. - -Prawle’s head rolled over on his shoulder like that of a dead man. - -“In Heaven’s name, what can be the matter with the man? He looks like -death. Has he had another fit?” - -It may be easy to ask questions, even in a moment of intense -excitement, but it certainly is not so easy to find an answer to them -when the object to whom they are addressed turns a deaf ear to our -importunities. - -“This is terrible!” exclaimed the boy, the perspiration oozing out on -his forehead. “I must drag him out of here.” - -Gideon Prawle hung a dead-weight in his arms, but Jack was strong -enough to handle him easily enough. - -He laid him down in the damp grass a short distance from the surgery, -and then started in to put out the fast increasing flames. - -There was a water-butt at one corner of the building, and somebody, -probably Meyer, had left a horse bucket beside it that afternoon. - -Jack seized the bucket, pushed the cover off the barrel, and filling -the implement with rain water rushed into the blazing surgery and -dashed the water upon the flames. - -This he repeated as fast as he could traverse the short space between -the barrel and the room. - -Fearing he might not be able single-handed to subdue the flames he -yelled “Fire!” lustily each time he came out. - -Both Dr. Fox and his son, who were sleeping soundly, heard his shouts -at the same moment, and both sprang out of their beds and rushed to a -window to look out. - -Charlie missed his chum at once, for the pair had occupied the same -bed, and for an instant he wondered where he had gone. - -“Fire!” came up Jack’s voice again. - -“Good gracious!” exclaimed Charlie, “That surely is his voice,” and he -threw up his window, which faced almost directly on the surgery. - -At the same moment he heard the window of the front room go up with a -bang, and his father’s voice exclaim: - -“Hello! What’s wrong?” - -For the moment there was no answer as Jack had just taken another -bucket of water inside. - -But he presently reappeared with the empty bucket swinging in his hand. - -He presented a strange sight to Charlie, for his hair was disheveled, -he was attired only in his trousers, undershirt and boots, and his face -was flushed from the exertion and excitement. - -“Hello, Jack!” exclaimed the doctor’s son. “What the mischief is wrong?” - -“The surgery is on fire,” replied Jack, hurriedly. - -“On fire!” ejaculated Charlie, aghast. “Great Scott!” - -“Come down and lend me a hand. I think I have got it under control.” - -Thus speaking, he vanished into the building again with another pail of -water. - -Dr. Fox had caught enough of this brief colloquy to understand that -something was out of joint at the store, and naturally he hastened to -get into a portion of his clothes and rush to the scene of action, -where he arrived almost as soon as his son. - -The flames had obtained some headway before Jack Howard had got busy in -an effort to subdue them; but his exertions had been well directed, and -he had managed to keep them from spreading to the shop. - -“Get another bucket or something, Charlie,” he shouted, as soon as he -perceived his chum dashing out from the side door. - -There should have been a bucket beside the well in the yard near the -barn, but as it was not there now it is probable it was the one in -Jack’s hands, misplaced by the German boy. - -To get another, Charlie had to get into the stable or barn, as the -building was called, and as it was always kept locked at night, the key -being in charge of Meyer, who slept in the loft or attic, the doctor’s -son had to wake up the Dutch boy, who was a heavy sleeper, by pounding -like mad on the side door which opened on to the stairs. - -He had to make noise enough to awaken the Seven Sleepers before one of -the small windows in the loft was opened and Meyer’s big head appeared. - -“Vot you vants down dere, any vays? Vot you dook me for?--der doctor? -Well, go by your pus’ness aboud und voke ub der right barty.” - -“Wake up, you thick-headed fool!” cried Charlie, quite out of patience. - -“Vhy, it don’d peen you, Sharlie?” exclaimed Meyer in an astonished -voice. - -“Will you throw down the key of the barn?” - -“Vot you vants mit der key off der barns?” - -“Do you want me to come up and fire you out of the window? Throw down -the key, do you hear?” - -“I hear, I ped you. Vell, vait a moments und I vill drow it down.” - -Charlie waited for it in a fever of impatience. - -“Now, get into your clothes and come down yourself as quick as you -can,” he cried to the boy, when the key flopped at his feet. - -“Shimmany Christmas!” grumbled the German lad, as he watched Charlie -rush to the barn with the key. “Dis vos a nice hour to voke a feller -ub, I don’d dink. Off I stood it much longer I am a yackass.” - -Dr. Fox, when he appeared on the scene, was amazed to find the -unconscious form of Gideon Prawle lying stretched out like a dead man -upon the grass. - -He passed him, however, to take a flying look into the surgery, and see -how serious matters were in that quarter. - -“You can’t do any good here,” said Jack. “Better look after Prawle. I’m -sure something serious has happened to him. Charlie will be with me in -a moment with another bucket, and the pair of us ought to be able to -put this blaze out.” - -Jack spoke encouragingly, for he saw that he already had the fire under -control. - -So Dr. Fox returned to the stranger from the West, and his experienced -nostrils immediately detected the fresh odor of chloroform. - -“Has the man committed suicide?” was his first thought. “No, he is -not dead,” he said to himself, after he had put his ear down to the -man’s chest and listened with professional accuracy for indications of -heart-beats. - -Dr. Fox being a small man, it was a physical impossibility for him to -drag the big prospector up on his stoop out of the dampness. - -The best he could do was to drag him over to the gravel walk, and this -required much effort on his part. - -Then he went into the cottage to get certain remedies to bring the man -back to his senses. - -With Charlie’s assistance Jack finally subdued the flames inside of -another ten minutes, but a considerable amount of damage had been done -to the surgery. - -“B’gee! This is fierce!” cried Charlie, as the two boys, having thrown -their buckets aside, stood contemplating the ruin wrought by the fire. -“Have you any idea how this occurred?” he added, turning to his chum. - -“Well, I think I have,” replied Jack, with a frown upon his handsome -face. “The surgery was set on fire by Otis Clymer.” - -“You don’t mean that!” exclaimed young Fox, starting back in -astonishment. - -“Well, I don’t mean anything else,” replied Jack stoutly. - -“Tell me what ground you have for thinking so. This is a serious charge -to bring against that fellow. It will lead to his immediate arrest and -prosecution. If sustained he will surely be sent to the State prison -for a good many years, for arson is a crime severely dealt with.” - -“He’s not merely guilty of attempted arson, Charlie,” said Jack, with a -serious face, “but the scoundrel actually left Gideon Prawle to perish -in the flames.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -OTIS CLYMER AND DAVE PLUNKETT AGREE TO PULL TOGETHER. - - -“Is it possible!” gasped Charlie Fox, his eyes sticking out. - -“It is an awful truth,” answered Jack, solemnly. “I don’t know exactly -what made me wake up, unless it was the dream I had. At any rate, I -woke up with a feeling upon me that something was wrong. I tried to get -asleep again, but I couldn’t, which is an unusual circumstance with me. -Finally I got up and went to the window of your room to look out. It -was bright moonlight, and everything was quiet all about. The surgery, -you know, was almost in front of me, and my eyes took it in with the -rest of the scene. I was astonished to see the door open and some one -standing on the doorstep. At first I fancied it was Prawle, but I soon -perceived it was the figure of a much smaller man. He was standing in -the full glow of the moonshine. Then I recognized Otis Clymer. I knew -he had no right to be there after what had occurred, and I watched -him attentively. In a moment he turned around and disappeared into -the building, closing the door after him. I was sure he had some bad -purpose in view, so without waking you, I hurriedly slipped on my shoes -and trousers; ran down stairs, let myself into the garden by the side -door and started for the surgery. Hardly had I reached there before -the door was suddenly jerked open and Clymer rushed out into my arms, -nearly upsetting me. But my suspicions being aroused, I held on to him -and demanded to know what had brought him there at that hour. He told -me it was none of my business, and struggled to get away. Then I caught -sight of the fire inside. I accused him of the crime, when he managed -to strike me a stunning blow in the face, wrenched himself free and -dug out of the garden. Then I entered the surgery, and found Prawle -stretched out, the picture of death, and I had all I could do to get -him out of reach of the flames.” - -“This is terrible!” ejaculated Charlie. “I never liked Clymer, and it -is only lately we found out he was actually crooked in many little -ways; but for all that I should never have dreamed him capable of -committing such a dastardly act as setting fire to the store, not to -speak of abandoning a fellow creature to such a fearful death as must -have been the case if his plan had succeeded. Jack,” continued his -chum, grasping him by the hand and shaking it warmly, “Mr. Prawle not -only owes his life to you a second time, but father and all of us owe -you a debt of gratitude for saving our property.” - -“Don’t mention it, Charlie; rather thank an all-wise Providence, whose -humble instrument I was, that an awful crime has been averted.” - -“Boys,” interrupted the voice of Dr. Fox at that moment, “I want you to -help me carry our strange visitor into my office.” - -“Sure we will,” answered the boys in a breath. - -“How is he?” asked Jack, as they drew up alongside the still -unconscious Prawle. “Not dead, I hope.” - -“No,” replied the doctor, in a serious voice, “but he is in a bad way. -He has been drugged by chloroform. Must have tried to take his own -life.” - -“Not at all,” answered Jack, much to the doctor’s surprise. “If he is -drugged, it is the work of Otis Clymer.” - -“Impossible!” cried Dr. Fox, incredulously. - -“Well, after I tell you what I know of this night’s, or rather -morning’s, affair, I think you will agree that a deliberate murder, as -well as arson, has been attempted.” - -And Jack retailed the whole story to the doctor as soon as he and -Charlie had laid Prawle upon the office lounge. - -Dr. Fox was thunderstruck. - -He could not doubt but Jack had stated the facts exactly as he had -found them. - -“What a villain that fellow is! And to think he has been in my employ -for nearly a year. Why, the man might have poisoned one of my patients, -and have got me into endless trouble.” - -The doctor wiped the perspiration from his face. - -“He shall be arrested at once, and prosecuted to the full extent of the -law. Indeed,” with a glance at Prawle, “it may yet end in a hanging -matter. What could have been his object?” - -“I suppose it was to revenge himself on you for his discharge,” -suggested Jack. “But why he should have included this poor fellow in -his scheme is more than I can guess. It is possible Prawle may have -woke up and caught him in the place, and that Clymer then struck him -down and managed to give him a dose of the drug, which, from his -knowledge of the store, he could readily put his hands on.” - -“We shall probably get at the truth after this man comes to his senses, -or it will come out when that young scoundrel is tried.” - -“Well, he will have to be caught first. I’ll bet he is out of town long -before this.” - -“I’m afraid so,” admitted Dr. Fox, reflectively. “You had better dress -yourself, Charlie, and run around to the home of the head constable, -Martin Willett, and have him come here at once.” - -“All right,” acquiesced his son. “Jack had better come with me.” - -So the two boys ran up to their room to put themselves into shape to go -out. - -In the meantime, Otis Clymer, thinking of the ill-luck which had led -to his recognition and the probable failure of his scheme to get square -with Dr. Fox, made the best time he could in the direction of the small -hotel kept by Dave Plunkett down near the river which ran by the town. - -The Plunkett House was the one eyesore of Sackville. - -All self-respecting people considered it a disgrace to the town. - -But as Plunkett was shrewd enough to keep within the pale of the law he -could not be disturbed. - -Report represented him as an ex-prize fighter, and report was probably -correct. - -He looked it at any rate. - -Some people even hinted that they believed his picture adorned the -Rogue’s Gallery of more than one big city. - -At any rate, when he sported his summer crop of hair his smoothly -shaven face would have stood as a good model for a convict’s. - -It is quite possible all the evil things whispered about Plunkett were -more or less exaggerated, but, just the same, the good citizens of -Sackville would have been well pleased to have parted company with him. - -And this was the man Otis Clymer had cultivated as a friend. - -The acquaintance began when Otis went into the billiard-room to play -pool. - -Then he made himself solid by treating the crowd frequently. - -Finally Plunkett suggested that he come there to board. - -Clymer fell in with the idea, and that settled whatever little -reputation Otis had not already lost. - -Dr. Fox put up with a great deal from his clerk, but he couldn’t stand -for that, and so he discharged the foolish young man. - -It is probable Plunkett was playing Otis Clymer for a good thing, and -would give him the bounce as soon as his funds ran out. - -It was close on to three o’clock when Clymer reached the Plunkett -House, all out of breath from his run. - -As far as appearances went, Plunkett’s was closed for the night. - -But it wasn’t really so. - -There was a big game of pool on in the billiard and bar-room, the -participants in which were mostly bargemen who plied on the river. - -They were a rough lot, but you could not class them as really bad men, -at least not the large majority. - -They frequented Plunkett’s because it was a free-and-easy resort, and -was handy for them to congregate at. - -Dave Plunkett was behind the bar, helping his assistant out. - -Clymer rushed into the place through a side door abutting on the river. - -This was the only entrance open to customers after one o’clock in the -morning. - -Otis called for whisky, and poured out such a stiff dose that Plunkett -looked at him in some surprise. - -He swallowed it at a single gulp, and then asked Dave if he could see -him in private. - -“Cert,” answered Plunkett, regarding his customer with a suspicious -stare. “But what’s up? You looked excited. You ain’t been doin’ nothin’ -that’ll get you into limbo, have you?” - -“Never mind what I’ve been doing,” retorted Clymer, shortly. “I’ve got -something to tell you that you’ll be glad to learn.” - -“Will I?” said Plunkett coolly. “Well, go into my little room, at the -back of the office. I’ll be with you in a moment.” - -“When I left here to-night,” said Clymer to Plunkett, when the -proprietor of the establishment joined him in his private room, “I was -half-shot; but I was resolved to get square somehow with old Fox for -discharging me from his shop.” - -Plunkett nodded as if he had suspected some such intention ran in his -customer’s brain. - -“I may as well tell you I meant to set the old ranch on fire if I could -get the chance, and I thought I could, as I had a key to the surgery in -my pocket.” - -His companion said nothing, but regarded him with attention. - -“When I reached there about half-past eleven I expected to find the -coast clear, for I knew a dead man had been fetched to the surgery in -the morning for a post-mortem, and such being the case the room is -usually not visited.” - -Plunkett, perhaps scenting a longish story, got out his pipe, filled it -and began to smoke. - -“I was surprised to find the surgery lit up, and, wondering what was -going on inside, I crept up to the window overlooking the street -and peered in. Fortunately, it was open several inches, and I heard -something which set me on a new track.” - -“Umph!” muttered Plunkett. - -Then Clymer proceeded to detail how the corpse had been brought back to -life, much to his listener’s amazement. - -When he came to disclose what had transpired in relation to the copper -mine out in Montana, Plunkett got interested. - -“I determined to get possession of that mine myself,” went on Clymer. - -“You!” exclaimed Plunkett, in some astonishment. - -“Yes, me. If I could get hold of the papers, especially the option on -the property, I believed I could depend on you to see me through in -change for an interest in the mine that would be as good as a fortune -to you.” - -“Well,” said the hotel keeper, more interested than ever. - -“Well, I’ve got them,” replied Clymer, triumphantly. - -“You have?” in surprise. - -“I have; but----” and Otis looked at his friend the landlord with a -shaky expression. - -“Well, what’s the trouble?” - -“The trouble is, I was detected in the act of setting the surgery on -fire by a friend of the doctor’s son, named Jack Howard, and had to run -for it.” - -Plunkett whistled softly. - -“You can’t get out of town any too quick for your personal safety, -Clymer. Arson is a serious charge to have brought against you, and if -convicted would mean anywhere from ten to fifteen years in the State -prison.” - -“Yes, I realize that. But there is no use now in crying over spilled -milk. I’m going out to Montana to try and get possession of that copper -mine, and what I want to know is, Are you with me? This is my plan.” - -Otis Clymer produced the faded red pocketbook which belonged to Gideon -Prawle, discoursed glowingly as to the exceptionally rich quality of -the copper specimens brought from the mine by the prospector, and -explained how he believed that a small amount of money judiciously -invested in the person of Jim Sanders would secure them the ownership -of the mine, as the option held by Prawle being in his (Clymer’s) -possession it could not be produced to complete the original bargain. - -“Five hundred dollars ought to do the business for us,” concluded Otis, -eagerly. “Prawle, if he survives the drug I gave him, will be left out -in the cold, and you and I will come into a mint of money when we sell -our right and title to the mine to capitalists who know a good thing -when they see it.” - -Plunkett was a cautious man as a rule--a virtue which kept him out of -difficulties many a time; but the arguments advanced by Clymer seemed -convincing, and at the same time excited his cupidity. - -The two men talked over the scheme until daylight, and finally came to -an agreement satisfactory to both. - -Arrangements being completed, Clymer packed a grip with such articles -as he considered indispensable and left the Plunkett House to catch a -freight train which passed through Sackville at five o’clock. - -Two days afterward, Plunkett himself vanished from town, leaving his -establishment in charge of his wife. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -ROCKY GULCH AND NEIGHBORHOOD. - - -It was a bright day one week from the stirring events just narrated. - -The scene has changed from the bustling little Western town of -Sackville to the wilds of the State of Montana. - -The exact spot was a point three miles southeast of a rough-and-ready -mining settlement known as Rocky Gulch, and seven miles, as the crow -flies, from the town of Trinity on the North Branch of the Cheyenne -River. - -On one side was a rocky hill, pierced at this particular locality by a -rude opening, which might correctly be termed a cave, though it looked -more like a hole in the wall of rock than anything else. - -On the other side was the head of a wide creek, to which the name of -Beaver had been applied, and a narrow, circuitous stream ran into it -from its source somewhere in the hills beyond. - -Two men--one of whom bore a strong likeness to Otis Clymer, the other -to Dave Plunkett--were standing midway between the cave and the creek. - -“This must be the place,” said the former, referring to a slip of paper -he held in his hand. - -“Where’s the mine?” asked Plunkett, in a tone which showed he was not -wholly pleased with the outlook. - -“That hole yonder must be the entrance to it,” suggested Clymer. - -“If you think so, then the sooner we look into it and find out whether -it is or not, the better I’ll be pleased. Before I plank up the dust I -want to know what I’m investing in.” - -“That’s all right,” returned Clymer. “But you didn’t expect to pick up -a full-grown mine all in working order, with machinery on the ground, -for a paltry two or three hundred dollars, did you?” - -“I don’t say that I did,” asserted Plunkett; “but I ain’t goin’ to buy -a hole in the ground without I’ve some idea of what’s behind it. If -you can show me real copper in there, that’ll be proof the man’s story -wasn’t all moonshine. Then we’ll go and hunt up this fellow Sanders and -make it an object for him to forget he ever gave an option to somebody -else, and buy him out.” - -“Come along, then. We’ve got torches which, when lighted, will show us -the way through the darkness.” - -The two schemers walked over to the opening in the rock and entered the -crevice. - -They were out of sight for perhaps an hour, and when they emerged -into the light of day once more it was apparent their quest had been -satisfactory, for their eyes burned with an eager glow. - -“I hope you’re satisfied,” said Otis Clymer, triumphantly. - -“Satisfied!” exclaimed Plunkett. “Well, I guess I am--more’n satisfied. -That there mine is a mint for us two. I’m with you hand and glove from -this minute, but it must be halves--share and share alike, do you -understand?” - -“But you agreed to take a third in the first place,” protested Clymer, -half angrily. “The risk of getting those papers has all been mine. I -ought to have the larger share.” - -“Can’t help that,” replied Plunkett, doggedly. “You can’t do nothing -without money, and I’ve got the dust. I’ve made up my mind to be an -equal partner, and so halves it’s got to be.” - -“But I hold the option on the ground,” insisted Otis. - -“Pooh! What good is it to you? It ain’t in your name, and if it was you -haven’t the money to complete the deal. What you want to do with that -option is to destroy it; then it won’t turn up to put us in a hole, may -be. I’m goin’ to look up Jim Sanders right away. If he’s the soak you -say he is, I shan’t have much trouble in gettin’ a bill of sale for -that hill out of him. Now let us settle the thing right here. Are we -even partners, or are we not?” - -“You’ve got me where the shoe pinches, so I have to agree,” said -Clymer, reluctantly. - -“Now you’re talkin’ sensibly. I never like to go into a deal where -the other man has the bulge on me. I’m treatin’ you perfectly fair, -for money counts every time, and it’ll take money to put this thing -through. You don’t know what trouble we may be up against if that -fellow Prawle turns up out here and makes a squeal. Without me at your -back you would be lost. Now that we’re equal partners in the enterprise -I’ll see you out of it same as myself, no matter what the consequences -happen to be. So shake hands on it.” - -Otis Clymer saw that Plunkett was really master of the situation, and -he had sense enough to understand that he couldn’t do a thing without -his companion’s backing, so he held out his hand in an apparently -cordial way, and the compact between the two was sealed then and there. - -Plunkett produced a big flat bottle from one of his hip pockets, and -they both drank success to the scheme in which they were embarked. - -Then they took the back track, which brought them to the trail a mile -distant, and the trail landed them in Rocky Gulch in the course of an -hour. - -The Gulch was a settlement of perhaps three hundred inhabitants. - -It was not greatly different from some hundreds of other mining camps -which have from time to time sprung up in the western wilderness in -a night, flourished for a brief time, and then disappeared as the -occasion for their existence passed away. - -It had its stores, saloons, assay offices, so-called hotels, and all -the business establishments that characterize such places. - -It was picturesque and novel in its way, though life here was perhaps a -sterner reality than in more civilized communities. - -Many of the buildings were constructed of wood brought from Trinity, -but by far the majority were of canvas, being both cheaper and more -readily moved. - -The stores, saloons and hotels were ranged side by side along what -might be considered the main thoroughfare, while the canvas dwellings -were pitched here and there irregularly. - -The majority of the men at Rocky Gulch were industrious miners; but, -as might be expected, there were not a few disreputable characters -also--gamblers, whisky sellers and loafers, who lived on the sweat of -other men’s brows. - -Though Trinity, the river town, was not far away, Rocky Gulch had found -it necessary to elect a vigilance committee to preserve a semblance -of order, and this committee had a repressing effect on the lawless -element. - -Many dangerous and worthless characters had been run out of the camp -time and again, but for all that the inhabitants with one accord always -went about armed, for no one could say when he might be up against -trouble. - -When Otis Clymer and Dave Plunkett came over from Trinity that morning -to look up the copper mine they first put up at the Rocky Gulch Hotel. - -This establishment, the most pretentious by the way in the place, -consisted of three good-sized rooms, constructed of timber. - -The front room, facing on the street, was occupied by a small office -and a big bar; the middle apartment as a kitchen and dining-room, while -the rear room was lined with rough bunks, without bedding of any kind, -for the guests to spread their own blankets and sleep as best they -could. - -It was dinner time when the two schemers got back to Rocky Gulch, and -after that meal they lost no time striking up acquaintance with many of -the habitues with the view of finding out the present whereabouts of -Jim Sanders. - -But not one whom they accosted could say where Sanders might be found, -though the general opinion seemed to be that Jim was blind drunk -somewhere in Trinity. - -He had disappeared from Rocky Gulch on the day he had received the -hundred dollars from Gideon Prawle, and given that individual the -option on his property. - -That was all Clymer and Plunkett could learn, and they were grievously -disappointed. - -They were extremely anxious to settle up the business right away, lest -Prawle appear on the scene and cause trouble. - -“I don’t see but that we must go back to Trinity,” said Clymer. “The -man doesn’t seem to be here.” - -And so to Trinity they returned and began a search for Sanders there. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -JIM SANDERS. - - -On the afternoon of the following day a party of four stood facing the -opening into the deserted copper mine. - -The most prominent of the group was the bronzed and bearded Gideon -Prawle, who had fully recovered from the effects of the drug -administered to him by Otis Clymer. - -The other three, it is almost needless to say, were Jack Howard, -Charlie Fox and Meyer Dinkelspeil. - -No difficulty had been experienced by Charlie in obtaining his father’s -permission to accompany Jack Howard and Mr. Prawle to Montana after -Gideon had explained the situation to the doctor and shown him the -magnificent specimens of pure copper he carried in his grip. - -As soon as Prawle missed his pocketbook a new light broke in on those -in the secret. - -They agreed that the thief was Otis Clymer; that Meyer had been right -when he said he had seen Clymer’s face at the partly open window that -night, and that the villain set fire to the surgery not only for the -purpose of revenging himself on Dr. Fox, but to effectually get rid of -Gideon Prawle as a bar to his newly-hatched plan of getting possession -of the copper mine for himself. - -Dr. Fox had strongly objected to losing the services of his German boy, -who was a handy factor in his establishment. - -But Meyer had made up his mind to go to Montana with the others, and it -was useless to oppose him, for he declared he would surely run away of -his own accord. - -As Prawle and the two boys took his part, and interceded in his favor, -the doctor was prevailed upon to give a reluctant consent to his going -with the party. - -“Well, boys, here we are on the ground at last,” said Prawle, -enthusiastically. “Here’s the creek I spoke to you about which runs -into the North Branch of the Cheyenne River, five miles or so away, -and yonder you see the hole in the rock which affords entrance to one -of the richest copper deposits in the great Northwest. Unfortunately, -it isn’t really ours as yet till we find Jim Sanders, who sold me the -option on the property.” - -“And it may never be ours as the case stands,” said Jack, gloomily. -“Otis Clymer, who robbed you of your pocketbook, and thereby came into -possession of the option, has probably destroyed that document, and -it’s pretty certain he lost no time coming here to get the inner track -of you. His object, of course, if he has been able to raise the money -necessary for his purpose, is to meet Sanders and persuade that very -unreliable person to sell him the ground, knowing that this course will -be perfectly safe, since you will never be able to present the option -yourself. If, after he has accomplished this, you interfere with your -claim he will demand that you produce the option, which, of course, you -cannot do. Our only hope in this matter is to run across Jim Sanders -before Clymer can get his work in. All you will then have to do is to -pay down the balance of the purchase money, and get a bill of sale of -the ground.” - -“That’s all right,” spoke up Charlie Fox; “but even if he does succeed -in getting the bulge on us, what is to prevent us having him arrested -on a telegraphic order from Sackville, for the double crime of -attempted murder and arson?” - -“We could try that, of course, but I fear we should meet with many -difficulties out here, especially if he is smart enough to make friends -with an eye to that particular contingency, and the fellow is not such -a fool but to understand and provide against the risk of arrest and -subsequent extradition to Nebraska.” - -“Vell, off ve lets dot rooster got der best off us, den I votes ve go -py der wilderness oud und kick ourselufs for a bardy of shackasses,” -interjected Meyer Dinkelspeil, with solemn earnestness. - -“Good for you, Dutchman,” said Prawle, slapping the round-faced youth -on the shoulder. “And now, boys, follow me into the mine and I will -show you a sight which will make your mouth water. You will see more -copper in five minutes than you ever looked at in all your lives -before.” - -A couple of hours later Gideon Prawle and the boys returned to Rocky -Gulch. - -They ate supper at the hotel, and having arranged to bunk there for the -night, Prawle set about making inquiries relative to Jim Sanders. - -“I never know’d Jim Sanders to be of sich importance as he seems to be -jest now, stranger,” said the landlord of the Rocky Gulch Hotel, when -Prawle button-holed him in search of the information he wanted. “You -air ther second one in two days wot wants to know ther wharabouts of -Lazy Jim, as we call him, for we’ve never known him to work a day sence -he came to ther Gulch nigh on to a year ago. ’Pears to me your face is -kinder familiar, pard. Warn’t you ’round these diggin’s a fortnight or -three weeks ago?” - -“I was,” said Prawle. “I bunked here a couple of nights and had my -meals in your dining-room.” - -“Wal, now, I thought I warn’t mistook in your phiz. We hev strangers -comin’ and goin’ all ther time, but I generally remembers a face, once -I takes notice of it. What might be your object in wantin’ to see Jim?” - -“I want to see him about a bit of ground down by Beaver Creek I bought -of him when I was here last. I paid him $100 down, and owe him a small -balance which I am now ready to settle.” - -“Wal, now thet accounts for ther wad Jim had at the time. Folks ’round -here thought he mought hev robbed somebody, but as thar warn’t no proof -agin him, of course he warn’t troubled. But he didn’t stay ’round here -more’n a day before he lighted out, and he hain’t been heard from -sence.” - -“You say there was somebody else looking for him yesterday?” - -“Sure. A big cityfied-lookin’ chap named Plunkett.” - -That name conveyed no information to Prawle, who had not heard of the -landlord of Sackville’s eyesore, and the prospector wondered if he was -an emissary of Otis Clymer. - -“Mought I ask what you wanted with thet there land down by ther krik?” -inquired the proprietor of the Rocky Gulch Hotel, curiously. “It don’t -seem a likely sort of place thet I hev heard of. You hain’t diskivered -payin’ dirt, hev you?” - -This was asked with undisguised eagerness. - -“No,” replied Prawle, with assumed carelessness. “No such luck.” - -“Wal, now, I wuz in hopes you had,” said the man, in a tone of -disappointment. “’Cause why, these here diggin’s aren’t just what -they wuz a year ago. Things look like as if they wuz goin’ ter peter -out. Wal, you hain’t sed what you bought Jim’s claim for. You aren’t -expectin’ ter build a palis an’ live thar jest for ther fun of ther -thing, are you?” - -“Well, hardly,” replied Prawle, falling in with the man’s rude humor. -“I’ve discovered there’s a peculiar kind of stone near the creek that -might be used to advantage in railroad building, and----” - -“Oh, I see,” said the landlord of the hotel, thrown off the scent as -Prawle intended. “Wal, I wish you luck with it.” - -Prawle asked several other inhabitants of Rocky Gulch about Sanders, -but each one had the same answer--Jim had not been seen in the Gulch -for over two weeks, and they did not know where he was. - -“Kind of hard luck, isn’t it?” said Prawle, when he rejoined his -companions, after more than an hour’s ineffectual search for a clew to -Sanders’ present whereabouts. - -“I should say it is,” replied Jack Howard. “What are we going to do?” - -“We’ll have to go back to Trinity in the morning and see what we can -learn in that place. By the way, I heard there was another person -trying to locate Sanders.” - -“Otis Clymer!” exclaimed Jack and Charlie in a breath. - -“No,” replied Prawle, shaking his head. “It was a big man, named -Plunkett.” - -“Plunkett!” shouted Charlie Fox, in a tone of astonishment. “Not Dave -Plunkett?” - -“I didn’t hear what his first name was. Do you know somebody by that -name?” - -“The cheap hotel where Otis Clymer lodged of late in Sackville is kept -by a man named Dave Plunkett. I’ll bet Clymer has taken him into his -confidence as a moneyed partner in this enterprise, and so that he -himself can keep under cover as much as possible. He’s a cute rascal.” - -“If that’s the case,” said Gideon Prawle, reflectively, “we’ve got our -work cut out for us to beat the pair of them. Tell me what you know -about this Plunkett.” - -Charlie gave the prospector the history of Dave Plunkett’s operations -in Sackville, so far as he knew, as well as his opinion of the man’s -character. - -“Well,” said Prawle, “I judge if he rounds up Jim Sanders before we do, -it’ll be all day with us. Without that option I haven’t got the ghost -of a claim on the ground. It’s a thousand pities things have turned out -as they have. Who would have suspected we had a listener that night in -your pop’s surgery?” looking at Charlie Fox. - -“I never heard of such confounded hard luck,” returned Charlie, kicking -the wooden front of the hotel spitefully in his silent wrath. “Just -when we have sighted a big fortune for the crowd of us--not to speak of -a million or two which, by right of discovery, is coming to you, Mr. -Prawle--in steps a pair of unmitigated rascals, with every chance of -scooping the trick at our expense.” - -“By shinger!” chipped in Meyer: “do we stood dot? I feels so mad dot I -vould like to do somedings already yet.” - -At another time Jack and Charlie would have given the German boy the -laugh, but they were not in laughing humor at that moment. - -The outlook was altogether too serious. - -Next morning the rig which had brought them from Trinity to Rocky Gulch -was hitched up, and Gideon Prawle and the three boys started back along -the trail. - -They had perhaps accomplished half the distance to the river town, when -a solitary horseman, astride of a wretched nag, was seen coming toward -them in the distance. - -“By shinger!” exclaimed Meyer. “Off dot don’d peen a scarecrow I’m a -liar!” - -“He certainly looks like a hard case,” said Jack, watching the -stranger’s approach with not a little curiosity. - -When the distance between them had lessened about one half Prawle, who -had been examining the newcomer with great attention, suddenly gave a -shout that fairly electrified his young companions. - -“Jim Sanders, by all that’s wonderful!” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE MEETING ON THE TRAIL TO TRINITY. - - -“Vot!” shouted Meyer, almost losing his grip on the seat and tumbling -off into the trail. “Shim Sanders! Der mans ve vos looking for? It -don’d been possible!” - -“It is Jim Sanders,” said Prawle, in a tone of conviction. - -“Then the country’s safe!” cried Jack and Charlie, with one accord, -shaking hands across seats, and feeling as if they could have jumped -off and turned a dozen handsprings in the excess of their glee. - -“Shook mit me, too, you fellers!” cried Meyer, smiling all over his -round face. “I vos so glad, by shinger, I could oxsplode mit interior -combustications!” - -Jim Sanders was one of the toughest looking specimens of humanity the -boys had ever laid eyes on. - -His garments, of a shade and texture hard to determine, were a sight to -behold. - -The majority of his toes protruded through his broken boots. - -As to his hat, the less said about that the better. - -He was fairly sober, for a wonder; but gave every evidence that he was -just emerging from a long spree. - -Sanders blinked at the party on the wagon as he approached. The horse -had been pulled in from a smart trot to a slow walk. - -When they came together he turned his animal out of the trail to allow -the rig to pass. - -As a matter of course, Gideon Prawle, who was driving, pulled up, and -Sanders, having also stopped, addressed the miserable-looking wreck. - -“Hello, Jim Sanders!” - -“Howdy, pard!” - -“I want to see you, Jim.” - -“Wal, I reckon you’re lookin’ at me,” with a silly grin. - -“You don’t seem to recollect me, Jim,” said Prawle. - -“Dunno as I do. I mought hev seen yer before, an’ then, agin’, I -moughtn’t.” - -“My name is Gideon Prawle.” - -“Wal, pard, that doesn’t help me ter place yer.” - -“No?” answered Gideon, in some surprise. - -Jim Sanders shook his head to and fro slowly, while the boys regarded -him blankly. - -“So you don’t remember that I paid you $100 on account three weeks ago -for a bit of ground you own down near Beaver Creek, and that I was to -pay you $200 more some time within sixty days?” - -At the mention of the money a light seemed to suddenly break in on the -fallow brain of the lonesome-looking rider. - -“Are yer ther stranger what owes me that $200 on my old pard’s claim at -the krik?” he asked, with unfeigned eagerness. - -“I’m the man, Jim.” - -“Wal, now, I wouldn’t hev knowed it,” he replied, with a grin. “When -yer goin’ ter settle up?” - -“Now, if you’re ready.” - -“Ef I’m ready? Wal, I reckon.” - -“Boys,” said Prawle, “we must settle this thing right here now. Got a -pencil and paper?” - -“I’ve got a fountain pen, which is better; and I’ll tear a blank page -from my notebook,” said Jack Howard, quickly producing the articles -from his pockets. - -“What yer about now?” asked Sanders, regarding these preparations -dubiously. - -“I’m writing out a bill of sale for you to sign; then, I’ll hand you -the $200,” said Prawle. - -“Wal, I’ll sign it ef I kin; but I hain’t much at drivin’ a pen, pard,” -said the animated scarecrow, slowly and doubtfully, as if he had very -little confidence in his powers of chirography. - -“Here you are,” said Prawle, jumping off his seat. “Come around to the -back of the wagon, so you’ll have something to lean on.” - -Jim Sanders dismounted from the sorry-looking nag, which looked as -red-eyed and tired as himself, and moved with an uncertain kind of gait -to the rear of the wagon. - -Prawle put the bill of sale of the property, with the book under it, on -the open end of their vehicle, and offered the fountain pen to Sanders. - -He took it gingerly between his knotty fingers and fumbled with it a -moment. - -“Whar’s ther ink, pard?” - -“The ink is on the pen.” - -“So ’tis. Thet’s funny. I didn’t see yer dip it inter no ink bottle.” - -“That’s what we call a fountain pen. The ink is carried in the handle.” - -The explanation seemed all Greek to Sanders. - -“Some new-fangled idee, eh? Wal, here goes,” leaning over the document. -“Whar do I put it?” - -“Write your name here,” said Prawle, indicating the place with the tip -end of his little finger. - -Sanders flourished his arm and then stopped. - -“By shinger,” ejaculated Meyer, who had been aching to say something -for the last five minutes, “dot rooster vill dook all day mit dose -pizness, ain’d it?” - -“Say, pard,” asked Sanders, “how do you make a ‘J’? Et’s s’long sense I -writ my name I’ve clean forgot how ter begin.” - -“Better hurry him up, Mr. Prawle,” spoke up Jack. “There’s two men -coming this way at a quick trot.” - -Gideon stepped out and looked ahead along the trail. - -Jack had spoken the truth. - -A couple of horsemen were advancing upon them from the direction of -Trinity at a rapid pace. - -Prawle tore another sheet from the notebook and wrote Jim’s name very -legibly. - -“There’s a copy for you. Imitate that as closely as you can.” - -“Is thet my name?” asked Sanders, looking at the writing with some -curiosity. - -“That’s your name.” - -“Wal, now, I wouldn’t hev known it.” - -Then he began a laborious effort to duplicate the signature. - -Needless to say, his attempt was a rank failure, but still, a -handwriting expert might have been able to testify to its genuineness. - -“Come down here, Jack,” said Prawle, “and witness his signature. You’d -better come, too, Charlie.” - -The boys dismounted in a twinkling and signed their names as witnesses. - -As soon as this formula was completed Prawle pulled out a wad of bills, -representing money advanced by Jack Howard and Dr. Fox, counted out -$200, and passed it over to Sanders. - -“Count it, Jim, and see that it’s all right.” - -“I reckon it’s all right, pard,” replied the scarecrow, stuffing it -into one of his pockets. - -“You seem to be going to Rocky Gulch,” said Prawle, as he put the rest -of the money away, and the boys started to remount to their seats. - -“Thet’s whar I’m bound,” grinned Sanders, backing toward his horse, -which had meekly stood with his head down and his ears back, the -position in which he had been left by his master. - -“Well, be good to yourself. Don’t blow all that money in at once. -Remember there’s $200 in that wad.” - -Jim’s red-rimmed eyes seemed to brighten at the mention of the amount. - -No doubt he had visions of another long, glorious drunk at Rocky Gulch, -or elsewhere. - -To get loaded clean up to the neck, and keep so indefinitely, was -probably Jim’s idea of supreme bliss. - -At any rate, that was the accepted opinion of those who knew him best. - -As Gideon Prawle put up his foot to mount to the front seat of the -wagon a sudden exclamation from the boys attracted his attention. - -He looked ahead, and saw that the two oncoming strangers were almost -upon them. - -“Mr. Prawle,” said Jack, in a low, tense tone, “we’ve turned the trick -not a moment too soon. Here come Otis Clymer and Dave Plunkett.” - -“The dickens you say!” exclaimed Gideon, as he started up the horse and -looked hard at the two men. “Which is which?” - -“Clymer is the smaller of the two.” - -“I’ve a great mind to have it out with him right here for trying to do -me up,” said Prawle, with a resolute look and a snap of his eyes. - -His hand instinctively sought his hip pocket, where the butt of a heavy -revolver protruded. - -Jack caught his arm just as Charlie spoke up: - -“What are you doing out here, Otis Clymer?” - -A dark scowl was the only response, as the horsemen, who easily -recognized the party on the wagon, pushed their animals around the -vehicle at a respectable distance. - -“Well, we’re on to your little game, all right,” added Charlie, with -a triumphant grin. “It won’t do you any good to hunt up Jim Sanders -now. We’ve met him and bought the property; so the best thing you can -do--you and your friend, Plunkett--is to go back whence you came. -You’re out of it for good. And more--I warn you, if we meet you where -the law can lay its hands on you, Clymer, we shall have you arrested -for a certain night’s work in Sackville a week ago.” - -The two horsemen were clearly taken aback by Charlie’s words. - -Clymer uttered a curse, while Plunkett bit his lips savagely. - -Both put their hands to their hip pockets. - -“Stop!” thundered Prawle, yanking out his gun so swiftly as to almost -take the boys’ breath away. “Throw up your right hands and move on, or -I’ll drill you both quicker’n greased lightning.” - -And he meant it, too. - -Both Clymer and Plunkett were subdued, and they obeyed the command. - -Then Prawle, keeping his eye on them until out of close range, drove on. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -GIDEON PRAWLE AND HIS ASSOCIATES TAKE POSSESSION OF THE MINE. - - -“Now, boys,” said Gideon Prawle, after the party had reached Trinity -and returned the rig to the stable where it belonged, “I’ve been -considering your proposal that we make arrangements to go by water -to the mine--which is now ours past all doubt--camp there, and with -suitable tools start in to dig out a carload or two of copper, in order -to show what the yield of the mine looks like.” - -“I hope you’ve looked at it in a favorable light, Mr. Prawle,” said -Jack Howard, eagerly. “Charlie and I have talked the matter over, and -Meyer has also had his little say, and it is agreed between us that -we’d like nothing better than a four or six weeks’ whack at the copper -deposit, which seems to promise such handsome results.” - -“Well, I don’t know as I have any special objections to falling in with -your idea,” replied the big prospector, heartily. “The experiment won’t -cost such a lot of money, and as the copper is right in sight on the -ground level, why, so long as you are aching for a bit of hard work to -limber up your muscles, and are satisfied to rough it and take things -as they come, you can consider the matter settled, as far as I am -concerned.” - -“Hurrah!” shouted Charlie, throwing his cap in the air. - -“Shimmany cribs! I like me dot,” chipped in Meyer. “I vould sooner -monkey mit dot gobber mines den I vould gone back to Sackville und vork -apoud der drug shops.” - -“Then the sooner we get down to business the better, I think,” said -Jack, in his breezy way. “Of course you will make all the preparations, -Mr. Prawle, as you are well acquainted with such matters. We shall want -a flat boat, I should think, to float our cargo of copper to this town, -and afterward reship it east to market. We ought to be able to get a -good bit of ore out of the mine before Charlie has to return home.” - -“We shall have to have a couple of good, serviceable tents, a small -cook stove, cooking utensils, blankets, shovels, picks, a couple of -iron barrows, and a lot of other things which I needn’t mention,” said -Mr. Prawle. - -“Don’t forget some fish lines. You said there was fish in the north -branch,” said Charlie, who prided himself on being a first-class -disciple of Isaak Walton. “We could go down there about sunrise -mornings and catch our breakfast fresh from the river.” - -“Yaw, I ped you,” assented Meyer, who imagined he was a great -fisherman, too, though he had been known to spend many an afternoon -fishing in the stream which flowed by Sackville and yet come home -without a solitary shiner. - -“That’s right. It will be some amusement for us,” agreed Jack. “All -work and no play----” - -“Makes Yack a dull poy, I ped you!” grinned Meyer, taking the words out -of Howard’s mouth. - -“Dutchman, you are right,” laughed Gideon Prawle. - -“Sure ding. Vhy not?” retorted Meyer, opening his mouth to its full -extent. - -“Don’t do that again,” remonstrated Jack, with a sober face. “One of us -might get in and be lost.” - -“So-o-oo!” - -“Well, Mr. Prawle,” said Charlie Fox, “you buy what you think we ought -to have. Do you think you will have any trouble finding a suitable -flatboat?” - -“Not at all. I know where I can hire one. We can float down the river -and pull it up the creek ourselves. When we’ve loaded it with copper, -however, we’ll have to charter a small steamer to tow it back here.” - -“With the first money we make I think it would be good policy to put -a smelter up on the ground. We ought to get things in good running -order before we start out to form a company and take outsiders into the -enterprise. You may perhaps know what capitalists are. They want to get -the cream of everything they are asked to back, and I, for one, don’t -believe in letting too much of a good thing get away from us,” said -Jack, earnestly. - -“You’ve a pretty level head, Jack,” replied the prospector, who had -imbibed a considerable amount of respect for the boy’s ideas and good -practical sense. - -“Thank you for your good opinion,” answered the bright boy. “One has -got to keep his eyes open and his wits on edge to get along in these -days of close competition.” - -“I move we adjourn,” chipped in Charlie, with a laugh. “I’m getting -hungry, and would sooner discuss a good dinner than anything else at -present.” - -“Second der motions,” put in Meyer, licking his chops at the suggestion -of something to eat. - -“A motion to adjourn is always in order,” laughed Jack. “Those in favor -of making a beeline for the hotel dining-room will say aye.” - -“Aye--aye!” from Charlie and Meyer. - -“It is carried unanimously, and the meeting stands adjourned pro -tempore.” - -“Vot is dot?” asked Meyer. - -“What is what?” - -“Bro demporay--dot’s a funny words.” - -“That’s Latin, and means ‘for the time being’--see?” and Jack fetched -the German boy a dig in the ribs that made him jump. - -“So-o!” - -Two days later the setting sun saw the prospector and the three boys, -now attired in regular mining outfits, toiling up the bank of Beaver -Creek with a small flatboat in tow. - -It was no easy work, the reader may well believe; but the boys were -strong and hearty, and stuck to their labor like good fellows, the -only kick so far coming from Meyer, who was fatter and less able to -hustle than the others. - -“By shinger,” he said, after they had accomplished about a mile of the -way, “vhen do ve got py der ends of dis yob? Dere vill be noddings but -a wet spot left off me py der dimes ve shall be done mit id,” and he -dashed the perspiration from his face. - -“The trouble with you, Meyer,” said Charlie, who was pulling on a line -right back of him, “is that you’re too fat. It will do you good to get -rid of some of your surplus flesh.” - -“Is dot so? It vill done me goot to make a skelingtons off mineseluf -you dink? Vell, I differ mit you.” - -“Why, you chump,” exclaimed Charlie, “you’ve been doing nothing else -but getting fat ever since you came to work for us in Sackville.” - -“Don’d you fool yourself mit any such idea as dot,” retorted -Dinkelspeil. “I don’d peen half so fat as vhen I landed py Ellis Island -in New York, I ped you.” - -“You must have been as round as a billiard ball then,” laughed Charlie. - -“Get ouid mit your shokes. Dere’s some more off mine fat gone already -yet,” as he mopped his round countenance again. - -It was nearly dark when they reached the head of the creek. - -Meyer at once flopped down on the ground and began to fan himself with -his soft hat. - -After a short rest all hands got busy carrying the tents ashore and -putting them up. - -Then the next thing in order was to rig up their culinary department, -so supper could be got under way. - -Meyer volunteered to act as cook. - -His services were accepted, as Charlie vouched for his possessing some -ability in that line. - -“Yust vait a liddle vhiles,” he said to Prawle. “I vill make you lick -your shops over vot I puts pefore you, I ped you.” - -And every one declared he was not such a bad cook after all, when they -saw and tasted the fried fish and potatoes, backed up by a steaming pot -of fragrant coffee, which the German boy prepared in short order. - -“I move that Meyer Dinkelspeil be appointed chief cook and bottle -washer of this camp,” said Jack, when the meal was concluded. - -And the motion was carried by acclamation. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -HIS NAME WAS MEEN FUN. - - -The sun was just rising above the distant horizon next morning when -Jack woke up, pushed open the folds of the canvas of the tent occupied -by himself and Charlie Fox, and looked out. - -He saw a figure poking around the cook stove under the awning erected -to protect the cooking department from the weather, and his first idea -was that it was Meyer preparing an early breakfast. - -A second glance, however, assured him it was altogether a different -sort of person from the fat German boy. - -It was, in fact, a gaunt, sad-eyed Chinaman. - -“B’gee!” he exclaimed, “it’s a Chink. He’ll be stealing some of our -things if I don’t head him off.” - -He pulled on his garments and dashed into the open. - -“Hello, there!” he shouted. “What are you doing there?” - -The Chinaman turned around slowly, and grinned a ghastly sort of grin. - -“Me hungry, allee same starvee. Fastee heap fo’ day. Feelee all gone.” - -His looks certainly bore out his statement, and Jack felt sorry for him -at once. - -“Where did you come from, John?” - -“San Flancisco.” - -“So far as that, eh?” - -The heathen nodded solemnly and then rubbed his stomach. - -“All right,” said Jack; “I’ll get you something to eat.” - -The boy found some remains of the fish they had had the evening -previous, also a chunk of bread. - -He handed them over to the Chinaman, and the fellow made short work of -them. - -“Feelee bettee now,” he said, with a cheerful grin on his sallow -countenance. - -“Tasted good, did it?” - -“Bettee lifee. You wantee hile? Wolkee cheap.” - -At this juncture Gideon Prawle issued from his tent, followed by Meyer. - -“Shimmany Christmas!” ejaculated Dinkelspeil, as soon as his gaze -rested on the Mongolian. “Vot you calls dot fellers? Oh, yaw, he vos a -Shinyman, ain’d id?” - -“Where did you spring from, Chink?” asked Prawle, surveying the new -arrival curiously. - -“No springee. Walkee long way. No lidee on lailload. ’Causee why, no -gottee scads. Bouncee quickee no payee.” - -“Well, I guess yes. Looks half starved, don’t he?” to Jack. - -“Say, you ought to have seen him eat what we had left over. Wants a -job.” - -“What can you do, Chink?” - -“Most anything. But no callee Chink. Namee Meen Fun.” - -“Oh, your name is Meen Fun, eh?” - -“Collect,” grinned the moon-eyed one. - -“Where did you work last?” - -“San Flancisco.” - -“What did you do--wash clothes?” - -“No washee. Fo’ companee bling from China. Catchee place in Chinee -bankee on Dupontee stleet. Workee up to nicee fat job, allee same -plesident.” - -“What’s that?” asked Prawle. “President of the Chinese bank?” in some -amazement. - -“Sure popee,” grinned the Celestial. “Me startee out on own hookee. -Keepee bookee, keepee cashee, pay intlest, sabbe?” - -“He must be a peach,” remarked Jack. - -“More like a big liar,” grunted Prawle. “They all are.” - -“Heap fine bankee, fine safee, heap big sign. Plenty Chinaman -deplositors come filst off. One he say, ‘Mistoe Bankee Plesident, me -catchee some monee washy-washy--maybe tlee hundled dollah--you keepee -him for me?’ I tellee him, ‘Sure Mikee. Puttee in safee. Pay intlest.’” - -“The dickens you say,” gasped Prawle. - -“Another comee; he say, ‘Me winee sebbenty dollah, catchee buttee in -guttee--makee heap fine cigalettes--you keepee?’ ‘Allee light,’ me -say, and sockee wad in safee. Plenty scads come inee--more’n ’steen -hundled dollah. Me livee high--eatee loast beef, maccaloni, flied rice, -lasbelly puddin’. All sudden Chinamen all comee and wantee boodlee -back. Want buy lotlee tickee, some other foolee t’ingee. Me lookee in -safe, countee scads, tellee come back to-mollah fo’ clockee, gettee -wad den. When all go, me pullee down blind, packee glip, puttee in -boodle, skippee out filst train, go Saclamento, changee namee, gettee -dlunk, blowee in wad, laise old Nickee; in mornin’ findee me busted, -walkee lailload tie, bimeby gettee lost, most starvee, now me leady to -wolk--cookee, washee, ilon--anything.” - -“Suffering jewsharps, if you ain’t the biggest liar I ever met--and -I’ve seen some good one in my time--you may throw me into the creek!” -said Prawle, in a tone of disgust. - -“No liee--tellee tluth allee samee Melican man.” - -“Are you willing to wheel a barrow?” asked Prawle, pointing to one of -those useful instruments. - -“Sure t’ingee. Me wheelee ballow.” - -“All right. We’ll see how long you last.” - -“Me lastee allee light.” - -So Meen Fun was admitted to the companionship of the party, and after -breakfast was put to work helping to take the rest of the things from -the flatboat. - -When at length Prawle, Jack and Charlie entered the mine, leaving Meyer -to watch on the outside, they took Meen Fun with them. - -Several lanterns were suspended at various points within the old -deserted copper mine, and their bright glow furnished sufficient -illumination for digging and other purposes connected with the mining -operations. - -Then the boys, under the experienced direction of Gideon Prawle, got -busy; and it was not very long before Meen Fun made his appearance on -the outside with his first load. - -It was Meyer’s duty to separate the copper ore from the loose dirt, and -pitch the former into the bottom of the boat. - -“Dis vos a skinch,” mused the German boy, when he started in to make -himself useful; but, by and by, when the novelty of the work began -to wear off, and the heat of the sun commenced to get in its work, -Dinkelspeil began to entertain quite a different opinion of the job. - -“By shimmany! I beliefs dis vos harder den vorkings der pestels in der -mortars for oldt Fox. Efery dimes I finish ub a pile dot Shinyman -brings oud anodder load. Vouldn’t it make you veeps to dink off it?” - -But there was no let up for Meyer till it was time for him to set about -preparing the noonday meal. - -“Noddings vill be left off me bud a grease spot by der dime dot old -poat vas filled up.” - -When Meen Fun observed Meyer beginning his culinary operations he -dropped the barrow and offered to assist. - -“Nein,” objected Dinkelspeil. “Go py your pizness apoud quick. I -mineseluf am der shief cook und pottle vashers.” - -“Me makee nicee lasbelly puddin’s you catchee bellies.” - -“Off you don’d chase yourseluf purty quick I vill fall on you, und den -you vill haf to be swept up.” - -So Meen Fun had to return to his wheelbarrow. - -“We’ve done pretty well for a beginning, haven’t we, Mr. Prawle?” asked -Jack, when they knocked off work about noon. - -“Certain sure you have. Rather close in that hole. We must try and dig -an outlet through the roof.” - -“What are we going to do about that big mass of ore in the corner?” -asked Charlie. - -“Shatter it with small charges of dynamite. Those small cases I -had you move ashore so carefully and put yonder under that canvas -covering--that’s explosive.” - -Then all hands sat down to dinner. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE FLITTING OF THE MONGOLIAN. - - -It was undoubtedly hot and dirty work in the mine; but as it had been -entered into at their own request and suggestion, neither Jack nor -Charlie had any complaint coming. - -They stuck down to their labor all the afternoon, and never gave either -Meen Fun or Meyer a moment’s rest. - -“I never would have believed it if some one had told me that that Chink -would stick out that job,” said Prawle. “I haven’t heard him make a -squeal since he started in. He’ll prove of great assistance if we only -can keep him.” - -“Where is he going to sleep?” asked Jack. - -“We’ll give him a piece of canvas, and he can roll himself up in it -just outside the cave opening.” - -“It seems funny to me that if he was up to Rocky Gulch he didn’t get -work on the sluices,” said Jack. “I noticed quite a number of Chinamen -employed there by the miners.” - -“Maybe he came from another direction,” suggested Charlie. - -“Do you think the fellow is to be trusted, Mr. Prawle?” inquired Jack. - -“Do I think so?” repeated the prospector, slowly. “Hardly. We’ve got -to keep an eye upon him in a sort of general way. These Celestials are -born thieves, and slicker than greased lightning. I haven’t forgotten -that yarn the rascal spun this morning.” - -“I never heard anything more comical,” grinned Charlie. “The idea of -that Mongolian being the president of a Chinese bank in San Francisco, -skinning his depositors and then skipping the town!” - -“And the nerve of him in telling us all about it,” said Jack. “Just as -if he thought it would be a sort of recommendation.” - -“Wanted to impress us with the idea how smart he was.” - -“Come to think of it,” said Gideon Prawle, reflectively, “I wouldn’t be -surprised if there was something back of his coming here.” - -“What do you mean, Mr. Prawle?” asked Jack, in some surprise. - -“Well, I don’t mean anything in particular, only that Mongolian, the -more I think of it, doesn’t strike me favorably. He’s altogether too -willing, when you come to consider the matter. I noticed him several -times casting an inquisitive look about the spot we’re working; and all -about the place, for that matter. You can’t tell anything about these -Chinks. He may have been run out of Rocky Gulch, for all we know.” - -The more they sized up Meen Fun the more they began to distrust the -Mongolian--at least Gideon did, and he had had a long and varied -experience with the moon-eyed foreigners. - -After a good bath in the creek Prawle and the boys sat down to supper, -Meen Fun taking his just out of earshot. - -When pipes were lighted, and the four were seated on the bank of the -creek, the Celestial approached and betrayed an inclination to join in. - -“You lettee me talkee, too? Feellee belly lonesome.” - -“Look here, John; have you been up Rocky Gulch way?” - -“Locky Gulch? No sabbe him.” - -“Where did you come from, anyway?” continued Prawle, eyeing him with -suspicion. - -“San Flancisco.” - -“I mean where did you come from last?” - -The bright almond eyes twinkled as he answered: - -“Malysville.” - -“Marysville, eh?” - -“Sule, Mikee,” with a grin. - -“And you walked all the way here from that town?” - -“Yep, me ’spect so.” - -“What made you come out here into the wilderness?” - -“Wantee wolkee.” - -“You could get all the work you wanted in Marysville, couldn’t you?” - -“Not muchee.” - -“I know better, John.” - -“You know bettee?” - -“That’s what I do. Don’t imagine you can fool me, you almond-eyed -Mongolian. If you don’t tell us the truth we’ll run you out of this -camp in a brace of shakes.” - -“Whatee fo’ lun out? Me wolkee lots. Like stay.” - -“How much wages do you want?” - -“S’pose you pay me one dollah day; me satisfied.” - -“Well, we’ll think it over. Go over there and sit down.” - -The Celestial took the hint and moved himself several yards away. - -After that the future prospects of the mine occupied the attention of -the party. - -“When the company is formed the general offices could be located at -Trinity,” suggested Jack. - -“Why not at Helena?” said Charlie. “It would look more important.” - -“The directors will decide that,” said Gideon Prawle. - -“Am I to be a director?” asked the doctor’s son. - -“I’ll see that you get stock enough to entitle you to a -representation,” said the prospector. “It will be fixed so that we four -hold the controlling interest. Of course, I will have a great deal the -biggest share; but I’ll arrange matters so that if anything happens to -me you lads will step into my shoes, for I haven’t kith nor kin in the -world.” - -“I’m going to turn in,” said Jack, with a yawn. - -“Same here,” put in Charlie Fox. - -“Und I dink I’ll yust go py mine ped also likevise,” said Meyer, -sleepily. - -“You boys couldn’t do better,” acquiesced Prawle. “You are not used to -roughing it yet. By the time the flatboat is loaded you will begin to -feel hardened.” - -Prawle showed the Mongolian where he could curl himself up for the -night, and then, after making a tour of inspection around the immediate -vicinity, he entered his tent. - -Meyer was snoring loudly in his blankets. - -The prospector picked up his Winchester rifle and assured himself that -it was ready for action if wanted. - -Then he pulled off his boots and lay down on his blanket without -wrapping it about him. - -A profound stillness reigned outside. - -Not the slightest breath of wind was stirring the leaves of the trees -scattered round about. - -It was midsummer, and the night air was warm and as clear as a bell. - -An hour passed, and everything remained unchanged. - -Then a lightening up of the distant horizon heralded the coming of the -full moon, which soon rose clear of all obstructions and shot a silver -pathway along the surface of the creek. - -The mouth of the mine, the tents, and every object of the little camp -was brought out in full relief. - -At that moment something issued from the cave opening. - -It was Meen Fun. - -Like a shadow he glided up to the tent which sheltered Jack and Charlie. - -He listened intently, and then cautiously drew back the flap, inch by -inch, until his yellow face was framed in the opening. - -Satisfied the two boys were asleep, he softly retreated and went -through the same performance at the other tent, with even more caution. - -He noted the positions of the two sleepers--Meyer making weird music -with his open mouth as he lay on his back thoroughly tired out. - -Insinuating himself into the tent on all fours, he crept over to the -center pole, and slipped Prawle’s jacket off the nail from which it -hung. - -With that in his possession he made his escape from the tent. - -Outside he thrust his fingers into the pockets, one after another, and -extricated a new pocketbook Gideon had bought to replace the old one -stolen from him. - -This he opened, took out a small wad of bills, which he thrust into -some crevice of his loose garments, then, with the pocketbook in his -hand, he started off in the direction of the trail leading to Rocky -Gulch. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE LITTLE SCHEME WHICH FAILED. - - -The one main street of Rocky Gulch was lit up from end to end by the -numerous kerosene lamps which burned in the saloons and other buildings -lining the right-hand side of the thoroughfare. - -Every drinking place had its crowd of patrons, attracted by various -devices, such as a wheezy piano played by an indifferent performer, an -asthmatic flute, from which uncertain notes floated out on the night -air, or a squeaky violin in the hands of a poor musician. - -The miners of Rocky Gulch, however, were not particular to a shade. - -Like children, they were easily pleased by any old thing. - -And the more liquor they imbibed the less they cared for the -entertainment provided to draw them into the saloon. - -In the very last house of resort in the row two men were seated by -themselves at a rough apology for a table, talking earnestly together -and paying very little attention to the rest of the assembled company, -which had begun to thin out somewhat. - -The pair in question was composed of Otis Clymer and Dave Plunkett. - -They had arrived at Rocky Gulch the day before, after a visit to -Trinity, where they had gone after finding they had been euchred in -the mine scheme. They had made this trip for the purpose of shadowing -Gideon Prawle and the boys, in an effort to discover some means of -recovering their lost advantage. - -They had found no difficulty in becoming acquainted with the immediate -plans of the rightful owners of the deserted copper mine, and laid -plans accordingly to try and circumvent them. - -They had made friends with the proprietor of the saloon in which they -were now seated, and instead of putting up at the hotel when they came -back this time, they arranged to bunk in this place. - -After sounding the saloonkeeper, whose name was Coffey, they had -partially taken him into their confidence--that is, to the extent of -telling him they wanted to get possession of the Sanders claim at -Beaver Creek--without betraying the fact that the ground covered a -copper deposit of great value. - -They told Coffey that the Prawle party had got ahead of them, and they -were anxious to turn the tables on them. - -Coffey was a man of no principle at all, and this fact had recommended -him to their notice. - -He suggested to Clymer and Plunkett that a good plan would be to try -and steal the bill of sale given by Jim Sanders to Prawle. - -As neither of the two conspirators had the nerve to engage in such a -hazardous enterprise himself, Coffey proposed, for a $20 bill, to send -a Chinaman he employed about the premises, on this mission to the camp -of the newcomers at the creek. - -He introduced them to Meen Fun, who he said was the individual for the -job. - -So the Mongolian was duly instructed and dispatched. - -“If he succeeds in getting his fingers on that paper the game will be -in our hands,” said Plunkett to his partner in the nefarious scheme, as -they sat at the table in Coffey’s saloon awaiting the return of their -moon-eyed agent. - -“Yes,” coincided Clymer, “for we have already managed to get a -duplicate from Sanders in our own names to take the place of the -original. A hundred dollar bill will induce the old soak to swear that -he sold the claim to us, and that he doesn’t know anything about this -man Prawle and his companions.” - -“Coffey says we can depend on the Celestial to get the document, if -it is to be obtained, for he says the Old Nick isn’t a circumstance -alongside of Meen Fun,” returned Plunkett, blowing a cloud of smoke -ceiling-ward as he puffed one of the establishment’s villainous cigars. - -“If it is to be obtained!” ejaculated Clymer, with an ugly frown. “It -must be obtained, or----” - -“Well,” remarked Plunkett, as his companion paused, “or what?” - -“We must adopt extremer measures.” - -“Such, as for instance?” asked Plunkett, with a wicked leer. - -“No use of anticipating matters,” returned Clymer, wriggling out of an -explanation; “let us wait till we see what the Mongolian accomplishes.” - -“Huh!” snorted Plunkett, regarding his associate contemptuously. - -“It is now nearly twenty-four hours since Meen Fun departed on his -mission,” said Clymer, reflectively. “It is to be hoped we shall hear -from him soon.” - -“That man Prawle looks like a person who won’t bear fooling with,” -remarked the Sackville hotel man. “If he should happen to tumble to the -chink’s little game I should feel kinder sorry for Meen Fun. What do -you think about it?” - -“It will be his funeral, not ours,” replied Clymer, carelessly. - -“It will be ours, too, for in that case we shouldn’t get the paper we -want.” - -Clymer frowned, and then feeling that talking was dry work ordered -drinks for himself and his friend. - -Coffey mixed and brought the liquor, and he did not forget himself in -the order. - -He judged from the liberal disposition of Plunkett especially that -his new acquaintances were well supplied with the needful, and he was -anxious to relieve them--without actually putting his hand in their -pockets--of as much of their wad as he could entice in his direction. - -“Well, gents, here’s hoping things are comin’ your way,” said Coffey, -as the three touched glasses. - -“They’ll come our way all right if that Mongolian of yours brings back -the paper we want,” said Clymer, setting down his glass. - -“He’ll get it if the thing is to be found,” replied Coffey, -confidently. “I’ve seen many slick Chinamen in my time, gents, but Meen -Fun can give ’em all cards and spades, and beat ’em out every time; -take my word on it.” - -“I hope so! but I want you to understand that he isn’t up against such -an easy proposition. That prospector is a hard old nut to bamboozle, -while two of those boys at least are as bright as you find them. If -they catch your Chinaman up to any tricks it will go hard with him.” - -“They’re welcome, to handle Meen Fun as roughly as they please if they -detect him; but that they’ll never do.” - -“I’d like to feel as sure about it as you do,” said Clymer, anxiously. - -“One would think you gents had struck a lead down at the creek, you’re -so desperately in earnest to get your flukes on that claim,” said -Coffey, pointedly. - -“It isn’t that,” replied Plunkett, quickly; “we’ve another reason for -wantin’ to get hold of it.” - -“There must be somethin’ worth findin’ there,” persisted Coffey, “or -those chaps wouldn’t go into camp on that spot. Looks rather suspicious -to me. Instead of coming by the short route through the Gulch here you -tell me they have gone around by water. It doesn’t seem to me they -would have done that if they didn’t aim to keep their presence there -a secret as long as possible. I think you gents will find it to your -interest to let me in on this thing, or I may take it into my head to -do a little investigating on my own hook. Beaver Creek ain’t so far -away but I could run down there in an hour or two, and there isn’t any -law against a man using his eyes, or askin’ questions about matters -that interest him.” - -Coffey’s unexpected attitude disconcerted the two schemers. - -They had hoped to keep the existence of the copper deposit in the -background. - -Now they realized that they would have to let the saloonkeeper into the -secret, and once they did that they did not doubt but he would demand -an interest in the mine in return for his silence and co-operation. - -“Well, gents, am I with you in this?” asked Coffey, with a significant -look, regarding his two patrons complacently, as if he believed he had -them in a tight place, “or----” - -What he was going to add never transpired, for at that moment the -little, wiry form of Meen Fun appeared at the entrance to the saloon, -and then like a shadow glided up to the table where the three men sat, -and dropped Gideon Prawle’s pocketbook midway between them, a grin, -child-like and bland, resting on his yellow countenance. - -For a moment the group was taken by surprise, then three hands reached -for the tempting object, and, as it happened, the saloonkeeper’s -fingers were undermost and closed firmly around the pocketbook. - -“That belongs to us,” cried Clymer, eagerly. “By what right----” - -“Don’t lose your tempers, gents,” said Coffey, coolly, reaching for -his revolver with his disengaged right hand and whisking it out in a -jiffy. “Let’s come to an understandin’ in this matter. Good things are -not so plentiful ’round hereabouts that I’m lettin’ one go by me when -the chance offers. Come now, own up. What have you discovered at Beaver -Creek?” - -Both Clymer and Plunkett looked at him in sulky defiance. - -“Take your hands off my fist, will you?” demanded Coffey, menacing them -with his gun. - -They obeyed the order with manifest reluctance. - -The saloonkeeper drew the pocketbook toward him, but made no movement -to open it. - -“Well, since you won’t open your mouths, I’ll see if the Chinaman can’t -throw a little light on the subject. He’s been there, and there isn’t -much that escapes his sharp eyes. I may as well tell you, gents, that -I sent him to the creek as much on my own account as on yours. Did you -fancy I was such a fool as not to see that there must be somethin’ -unusual in your eagerness to get hold of that claim? And I knew the -other crowd wouldn’t take the trouble to go and camp out in that -wilderness unless somethin’ was doin’. Now, Meen Fun, tell me what you -saw down at the creek.” - -“Alle light.” - -Meen Fun then told his story of how he had reached Beaver Creek about -sunrise that morning, how he thought he had fooled Prawle and the boys -with his San Francisco yarn, and how he had asked for work. - -“Me catchee job wheelee locks in ballow outee minee.” - -“Oh, ho; so there’s a mine down there, is there?” laughed Coffey. “Is -that your secret, gents? Funny nobody round here knows anythin’ about -such a thing. What does it look like, Meen Fun?” - -“Holee in lock.” - -“Looks like a hole in the rock, eh? Quartz or fine gold, you yaller -heathen?” - -“No goldee.” - -“What! No gold?” - -The Celestial shook his head. - -“Diggee plentee led locks outee minee. Putee samee in flatee boat.” - -“Digging red rocks and loading them on a flat-boat. What is the meaning -of that, gents? What is this red rock? Is it copper ore?” a new light -breaking in on his mind. - -“Yes, it’s copper ore,” answered Clymer sulkily, as the admission was -reluctantly forced from him. “Now you know what we’re after.” - -“You might have made a clean breast of that in the first place. Now, -gents, are we pards in this mine?” - -“I s’pose we are,” growled Plunkett. “You’ve got us where the hair is -short, and we’ve got to take you in whether we like it or not.” - -“Let us drink on it, then, and drown all hard feelin’,” said Coffey, -making a sign to one of his employes. - -The liquor was served, and the three having drained their glasses the -Chinaman was dismissed, and Coffey, returning his gun to his pocket, -opened the pocketbook. - -“What we want, I think, gents, is the bill of sale of the Sanders -claim, ain’t it?” - -Clymer and Plunkett nodded and looked eagerly at each bit of memoranda -brought to light. - -When the last paper had been exposed to their gaze and the pocketbook -shook out, they sat back in their chairs and stared blankly at each -other. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -PUT ON THEIR GUARD. - - -The saloonkeeper was the first to recover from the general -disappointment. - -“Well, gents, it appears the paper we expected to find in this -pocketbook isn’t here at all. What are we goin’ to do about it?” - -“The Chinaman has made a botch of the job,” said Clymer, furiously. - -Coffey didn’t seem to take this view of the case. - -“It’s my opinion, gents, that fellow Prawle, as you call him, was just -a little mite too smart for us. I’m afraid, seein’ he knew you two -were in a sweat over that claim, and might be expected to make some -move after that document, that he went and deposited it in the bank at -Trinity, where it naturally would be safe.” - -“If he’s done that the game is up,” said Plunkett, with a look of -intense chagrin. “I might as well make tracks for Sackville right away.” - -“Pooh! Where’s your sand?” said Coffey, who didn’t wish to lose his new -acquaintances while they had a dollar to spend on his premises. “Don’t -get discouraged all at once. There’s more ways than one of killin’ a -cat.” - -“Well, you’re one of us, now. What do you propose?” asked Clymer. - -“How many are there in that party all told?” - -“Four--Prawle and the three boys. One of them is a Dutch boy.” - -“You think the claim is valuable enough to fight for, do you?” - -“I’m certain of it. Prawle, who ought to know, said the rock would turn -out ninety per cent. copper.” - -“He said that, did he? Is he an expert?” - -“I should judge he knows what he’s talking about.” - -“I opine nobody hereaways knows that party is at the creek but us three -and the Chinaman. As soon as the fact leaks out, though, a good many -of the boys will hustle down there to see what’s goin’ on. We must get -ahead of ’em. Now, gents, what kind of a dockument did you make Jim -Sanders sign here yesterday?” - -“A duplicate bill of sale of his claim,” said Clymer. - -“When did he give the original bill of sale?” - -“A week ago.” - -“Well, gents, I tell you what we’ll do. You date that duplicate paper -back, then we’ll just go down to the creek and tell those chaps we -bought the property first. Of course there’ll be a kick. Then we’ll -sail in and clean ’em out. If somebody gets hurt, it mustn’t be us.” - -“Do you mean to kill the four of them?” asked Plunkett, not exactly -relishing the scheme. - -“It won’t do to take any half measures, gents, for in that case the -Vigilance Committee in the Gulch here would be bound to hear about -the affair, and things would be made kind of unpleasant for us if the -investigation went against us.” - -Neither Clymer nor Plunkett were in favor of such a radical move, -especially, in view of the probable consequences. - -“Well, gents, if you’ve got a better plan to propose I’ll listen to -you,” said the saloonkeeper. - -The conference ended, however, without any definite plan being adopted -by the trio of rascals. - -At the creek the next morning the disappearance of Meen Fun was -generally regarded as a suspicious circumstance. - -Prawle did not immediately miss his jacket, and a close examination of -their portable property failed to show that the Mongolian had carried -off anything belonging to them. - -When they began work again in the mine, Jack and Charlie took turns -wheeling the loads of ore outside. - -Occasionally one or the other of the boys sent Meyer inside to take his -place for a spell with the pick and shovel, while he stayed out on the -bank of the creek and took up the German lad’s job. - -Half-past eleven came around, and Meyer was glad to turn in and cook -dinner. - -On his way back from a near-by spring with a pail full of water he ran -foul of Prawle’s jacket where Meen Fun had cast it aside. - -“Off dis don’d look exactly like Mr. Prawle’s yackets I’m a liar,” he -muttered. “Vot a funny spots to hung it ub. Off I vanted to lose id, -dese are der blaces I would leaf id. Maybe id don’d peen any bizness -off mine to took it back mit me, but all der same I done it yust for -der fun off der t’ing.” - -When Meyer called the rest of the party to dinner he exhibited the -jacket he had picked up. - -“That’s mine,” said Gideon Prawle. “What are you doing with it, Meyer?” - -“Vot I am doing mit id?” - -“That’s what I said,” returned the prospector. “I left it hanging from -a nail in my tent pole.” - -“Is dot so-o?” replied the German boy. “You are sure off dot?” - -“Certainly I am. I haven’t worn it for a couple of days.” - -“Vere you s’pose I found dot yackets?” - -“Where I left it, of course.” - -“Und you say you left id py a nail in der tent, ain’t id?” - -“Yes,” said Prawle, growing tired of the argument. - -“Vell, den, I found dot yackets on der bushes ub der road a liddle -vhiles ago. Vot you haf to said to dot?” - -“On the bushes up the road!” exclaimed Prawle, in surprise. - -“I guess you’re dreaming, Meyer,” said Jack with a laugh. - -“Don’d talk foolishness.” - -Prawle thrust his hand into the various pockets of the garment in quick -succession, but each time drew it out empty. - -“Boys,” he said at last, “my pocketbook is gone.” - -“What!” exclaimed Jack and Charlie in a breath. - -“Off id vos gone den I ped you dot Shinamans dook id,” said Meyer, -positively. - -“Was there anything important in it?” asked Jack, a bit anxiously. - -“Nothing more than $25 in bills.” - -“It’s lucky you deposited that bill of sale in the bank at Trinity,” -Charlie spoke up. “It would be kind of awkward to have lost that.” - -“Do you want to know what I think?” asked Prawle, reflectively. - -“What?” queried Jack. - -“Why, that Chinaman was sent down here from Rocky Gulch by Clymer and -his associate Plunkett on purpose to try and steal that bill of sale -away from me.” - -“I shouldn’t wonder if you are right,” nodded Jack. - -“If that’s so, then they have got beautifully left,” grinned Charlie. - -“That’s some comfort,” agreed the prospector, beginning to eat his -dinner. - -“Whether it’s so or not,” said Jack, with a sagacious wag of the -head, “I think we’d better keep a brighter lookout while we’re here. -No telling what piece of rascality those men may put up against us. -The possession of this mine, of whose richness Clymer is assured, is -temptation enough for scoundrels like them even to attempt our lives. I -move we each stand watch so many hours every night.” - -“Second der motions,” shouted Meyer, with his mouth full of food. - -Jack’s proposition being deemed a prudent one it was adopted. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -STARTLING NEWS. - - -The development of the old deserted copper mine, which had been duly -christened the Pandora, went on daily. - -The vein or rather ledge of ore which Prawle had originally tapped -penetrated right into the hill which formed the topographical outline -of the Jim Sanders claim. - -It furnished copper almost in a virgin state of richness, and every -pound the boys took out was fully up to the quality of the original -samples produced by the prospector in the little surgery at Sackville. - -The boys were enthusiastic over the prospects in sight. - -“No medical school for me this year,” said Charlie, as he gleefully -regarded a four-pound specimen of the pure ore which had fallen out of -a fissure at his feet. - -“I don’t blame you for wanting to put it off awhile under these -circumstances,” replied Jack. “It seems almost as if we were digging -gold or silver, doesn’t it, old chum?” - -“It’s a standing wonder to me that none of those chaps up at the Gulch -ever took it into their heads to investigate this hole in the hill.” - -“That’s right,” said Jack, as he shoveled the loosened rock into one of -the wheelbarrows. “Sanders tried to sell this claim a hundred times, -but nobody wanted it. He was too lazy and shiftless to look into the -place himself, and probably too ignorant of minerals to have noticed -the composition of the rock here even had he done so.” - -“If his partner, who originally staked the ground, was acquainted with -the value of his mine, as might strike you as likely, he failed to -impart the secret to Sanders.” - -“It was a case of sudden death with him, so I fancy he didn’t have time -to make any statement.” - -“It is a more than a week now since that Chinaman was down here,” -went on Charlie, after Jack returned from wheeling a load of the -ore outside, “and Clymer and Plunkett haven’t made any hostile -demonstrations. I wonder what they’re up to.” - -“I’d give something to know. Men of their stamp don’t give up so easily -when such a valuable stake as this is in sight.” - -“Maybe they’ve heard that we’ve made application for a United States -patent on the property and have recognized the uselessness of following -the game any further.” - -“Possibly,” answered Jack; “but for my part I don’t believe we’ve heard -the last of those rascals.” - -“When is Prawle coming back, do you think?” - -“Not for a week at least. He’s gone as you know to make arrangements to -have this load of ore towed up to Trinity.” - -“I know that all right.” - -“Then he’s got to arrange with the railroad company for a car to take -it to the Montana smelting works at Marysville, make terms with the -smelting people, and also see about shipping the copper east.” - -“Where to?” - -“Mr. Prawle didn’t say, because he didn’t know when talking to us about -the matter. Probably New York.” - -“I thought it was to go to Chicago.” - -“The car will no doubt go by way of Chicago, and I shouldn’t be -surprised to learn if it is held there for awhile for exhibition -purposes while the Pandora company is being promoted. That would be -my idea, if I were running things. I’d have the newspaper men examine -it. That would bring notices, and thus call general attention to the -discovery of a new mine of uncommon richness.” - -“You’ve got a great head, Jack.” - -“Oh, I don’t know; but I think I have a head for business. Taken it -after my father. There’s nothing like publicity when you want to -exploit a good thing.” - -“Or a poor one, either. Look how those wildcat mining schemes are -advertised. They catch lots of dupes every day.” - -“That’s what they do. Well, it’s your turn now to wheel that barrow -outside.” - -Several days went by, and the boys began to have visitors from Rocky -Gulch. - -The mining operations at the creek had got abroad, and curiously -disposed inhabitants of the Gulch came down to see what was going on. - -Therefore, it wasn’t long before every person at the mining camp above -knew that a copper lode had been discovered at Beaver Creek, and there -was a hustle among some of the less fortunate ones to take up claims in -the immediate vicinity of the Pandora, in line with the direction in -which it was presumed the vein of ore was running. - -Several prospectors who had been over the ground before for indications -of gold turned up again and began new experiments to locate the -existence of the copper deposits beyond the property lines of the -Pandora. - -Everybody, of course, examined with the greatest interest the sample -load of ore on board the flat-boat, and the favorable comment its -richness excited only spurred the boys on to greater efforts. - -At last the boat was as full as Mr. Prawle had deemed prudent to load -it. - -The boys now grew impatient at the prospector’s continued absence. - -“He’s been gone a week over the time he calculated to be away,” said -Jack to Charlie, as they were eating supper one night after all labor -in the mine had been discontinued. “I hope nothing has gone wrong.” - -“Why should anything have gone wrong?” propounded Charlie. - -“I was thinking about Clymer and Plunkett. They left Rocky Gulch I -heard about the same time Mr. Prawle went through the camp bound for -Trinity.” - -“Maybe one of us, you for instance, ought to go up to Trinity and see -if word can be heard from Mr. Prawle. You might telegraph to Marysville -to the smelters.” - -“I’ll go if you say so.” - -“I would. Meyer and I won’t be lonesome around here now.” - -“All right. I’ll go to-morrow morning. You may expect me back by night.” - -Hardly were the words out of his mouth before a horseman leading -another animal dashed into the Pandora camp. - -The boys hastened to meet him. - -“Which of you is Jack Howard?” asked the stranger, who was a young, -smoothly-shaven fellow, with a town air about him. - -“That’s my name,” said Jack, stepping up. “Are you from Trinity?” - -“Yes. I’ve been sent by----” - -“Mr. Prawle?” - -“Yes. He wants to see you at once at the American House. I’ve brought a -horse. You’re to go back with me.” - -“I’m all ready to do so. You’ll rest awhile, won’t you, before we -start?” - -“Not longer than’s necessary to give my nag a rubbing down.” - -“Judging by the looks of your animal you must have travelled fast,” -said Jack, curiously. - -“Well, yes,” said the rider carelessly, leaping to the ground, and -pulling out a cloth began to rub the mare’s back and flanks. - -“There’s something up,” said Charlie to his chum in a low tone. - -“I’m afraid so,” replied Jack, not quite easy in his mind. - -“Dot’s a fine horses you haf dere, I ped you,” said Meyer to the -newcomer. - -“One of the best in this section.” - -“You vouldn’t sold dot horses, vould you, off you got a good prices for -him?” - -“He’s not mine to dispose of, young feller,” was the curt reply. - -“P’haps you toldt me, den, vhere I found me a goot horses for -mineseluf?” - -“You’ll have no trouble finding a good horse in Trinity if you want -one. Now, Howard, we’ll be on the move,” and he leaped on the back of -his mare. - -Jack followed suit on the led horse. - -“Bye bye, Charlie. I’ll bring the news back with me. Take good care of -Meyer.” - -“I like me dot,” snorted the German boy. “I dink I dook care off -mineseluf.” - -“Is there anything wrong?” asked Jack anxiously as they dashed off out -of camp. - -“Well, yes; I didn’t want to let on before the others, as you’re the -only one that’s wanted. Prawle was shot about sundown and is not -expected to live.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE DEATH OF GIDEON PRAWLE. - - -Gideon was stretched out upon a bed in one of the front rooms of the -American House at Trinity. - -The usually healthy, rugged look of his tanned face was now turned a -ghastly white, which was rendered even more so by his heavy dark beard. - -The proprietor of the hotel was sitting beside the bed fanning him when -Jack, wild with anxious solicitude, was shown to his room. - -He opened his eyes and smiled faintly when he recognized the boy. - -“I’m afraid I’m a goner this time, Jack,” he said, taking the lad’s -hand in his two weather-scarred ones. - -“I hope not, sir,” answered the boy with some agitation. - -“The doctor was back to see me a few minutes ago, and he said I -couldn’t hold out over an hour more. Isn’t that so, Mr. Price?” looking -at the landlord. - -Jack turned pale, and the tears started into his eyes as the proprietor -of the house nodded solemnly. - -“I’m hit in a vital spot, and the wound is bleeding internally,” said -the prospector with difficulty. - -“Oh, Mr. Prawle!” said the boy in an agitated voice. - -“Don’t worry about me, my boy,” continued the wounded man. “I’ve fixed -everything with respect to the mine. I was afraid you wouldn’t reach -here before I petered out. You saved my life twice, lad, and I wanted -to see you before the end came. Mr. Price drew up the papers which -makes you the principal owner of the Pandora, and they’re signed and -witnessed in regular shape, so nobody can do you or your friends out -of the claim. Three-fifths of the mine is now yours, the other parts -I have allotted to Charlie Fox and young Meyer Dinkelspeil. I have -chartered the steamer River Bird to tow the flat-boat to one of the -wharves of this town. Mr. Price here will cart the stuff for you over -to the freight house, where a car has been arranged for to take the ore -to Marysville. The Montana Company will do the smelting and load it on -a car for the East. I have not settled as to its ultimate destination; -that will now be up to you. Lose no time in getting this first sample -of the mine’s productiveness on the market. As for the company itself -I have no fear but you will be able to organize it without any damage -to the interests of yourself and friends. Of course, you will be the -president and the manager, and from what I have seen of your character -I feel confident you are equal to the task of developing to its full -extent the mineral wealth of the Pandora.” - -The foregoing was spoken with much difficulty and took time, for Gideon -Prawle’s strength was fast slipping away. - -“But you have not told me how you came to be shot,” asked Jack at -length. - -“Ever since I left Trinity two weeks ago I have been followed by three -men.” - -“Three men!” exclaimed Jack. “Do you mean Otis Clymer and Dave -Plunkett?” - -“I do, and the third was a saloonkeeper of Rocky Gulch, named Coffey. -They interviewed me first at Marysville, where they presented a paper -which they claimed bore the signature of Jim Sanders, and they called -my attention to the date, which they asserted gave them a prior -claim on the mine. To avoid trouble, they said they were willing to -compromise for a one-half interest in the Pandora. Of course I knew it -was a scheme and refused to deal with them. A few nights afterwards -they waylaid me on the street and tried to do me up, but I was quicker -with my gun and Plunkett was carried off with a ball in his chest. -After that I was constantly shadowed, and my delay in returning to camp -is due to my efforts to avoid further trouble with Clymer and Coffey, -both of whom swore to kill me on sight. I am sorry to say that Coffey -got me this afternoon in front of the hotel when I happened to be off -my guard, and the best I could do after he had reached me was to put -a ball in his arm. He and Clymer are in jail, and from what I know of -Western justice Coffey will swing for drawing on me in cold blood. I -didn’t have a fair show, and there are a dozen witnesses to prove it.” - -This explanation had taxed the prospector’s vitality to a great degree, -and after that he spoke but little. - -He died at ten o’clock that night, holding the boy’s hand in his own to -the last. - -The death, unexpected as it was, of Gideon Prawle, was a sad shock to -Jack Howard. - -The better he had come to know the rugged prospector the more he -respected and liked the man. - -Their intimacy had gradually grown to be most confidential and -sympathetic. - -Small wonder then that the brave boy dropped many sincere tears over -the body of his friend after the breath of life had fled. - -Jack sent a messenger after Charlie and Meyer, the messenger being -directed to remain at the camp and watch over their interests at the -creek. - -Two days later all that was mortal of Gideon Prawle was laid to rest in -the small cemetery on the green hillside back of the town of Trinity. - -Then the boys, now directed by Jack as the responsible head of the -mine’s affairs, took up the threads of the arrangements engineered by -Gideon Prawle, and proceeded to carry them to a successful conclusion. - -The loaded flat-boat was duly towed up to Trinity and the ore loaded on -a car provided by the railroad company. - -That night the car started for the Marysville smelting establishment in -the center of a long freight train. - -Jack preceded it on an afternoon local, while Charlie and Meyer, with -a couple of stout Trinity men, returned to their camp on the flat-boat -to make up a second load of ore for shipment on the same lines as the -first. - -The same night also, by some unexplained means, Otis Clymer and his -associate Coffey, made their escape from the Trinity jail, and all -efforts of the authorities of the town failed to recapture them or -discover a clue to the direction they had taken in their flight. - -It was certainly too bad, for these men at large were a dangerous -menace to the interests of the young owners of the Pandora copper mine. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -A COPPER HARVEST. - - -Ten days after the death of Gideon Prawle Jack Howard stood in the -freight yard of the Montana Central Railroad and watched car 999, -with its way-bill, which contained specifications of the contents and -destination of the car, attached in plain sight, being pushed into -place at the tail end of an eastbound freight train then being made up -to leave the yard at seven that evening. - -Jack was interested in that particular car because it contained his -smelted copper, now ready for market. - -He intended to take a passenger train himself at eight for New York. - -While he was standing a little distance away between the tracks another -long train, made up of empties, backed down and shut out from his view -the particular train to which car 999 was attached. - -It was some minutes before the empties passed down the line, but when -they did Jack saw the man who had been pointed out to him as the -conductor of the seven o’clock eastbound freight, in company with two -other men, one of whom carried one of his arms in a sling, standing in -front of car 999, talking earnestly. - -This circumstance would not have impressed the boy in the least but -for the fact that the men made occasional gestures toward the car -which contained the copper; and this circumstance struck him as -suspicious, coupled as it was with the knowledge that Otis Clymer and -his confederate Coffey were at large, and that it was by no means -improbable but they still entertained designs against the interests of -the owners of the Pandora mines. - -Jack pulled his soft hat well down over his eyes, walked over to a -switch and leaned against it in such a way as to keep his eyes upon the -conductor and the two men with whom he was talking. - -He noticed that both the fellow with his arm in a sling and his -companion kept glancing around frequently in a way which struck him as -suspicious. - -“I never saw Coffey, the scoundrel who shot Mr. Prawle, and therefore -cannot say if this fellow bears any resemblance to him,” mused Jack; -“but I do know he was hit in the arm by the prospector on that fatal -occasion. As for the other, that may be Otis Clymer disguised--he’s -about the same height and build as the ex-drug clerk. Well, I must -say I don’t like the look of things. There may be nothing in it, but -all the same they seem to be taking an uncommon interest in that car -of mine. And that reminds me of the story Mr. Prawle told us one -evening of the stealing of a car of copper matte in which a friend -of his was interested. The rascals painted out the number of the car -and shunted it off on a branch line where another car was due. Then -when the car was found again it was empty, and, of course, nobody knew -what had become of the stuff that was in it. It had just disappeared -mysteriously. Such a thing could only be accomplished by bribing the -conductor of the freight. I would not like to have such a game played -off on me.” - -At this point in the boy’s reflections the conductor received a small -package from one of the men, which he immediately dropped into his -pocket, and then the three walked slowly down the track. - -Jack immediately dashed around to the other side of the line of loaded -freight cars and ran down the track till he had caught up with the trio -who were walking on the other side of the train. - -He kept pace with them until he reached the front car and then stood in -its shadow in order to get a closer observation of the three men, in -two of whom he now felt a great interest. - -Fate willed that they, too, should come to a halt at the other side of -the car, and easily within earshot of the bright boy. - -“You won’t fail us, then, Dorgan?” said the man in the heavy beard, -whose tones had such a familiar ring to Jack that he instinctively -muttered, “That is Otis Clymer sure enough, therefore there is no doubt -whatever in my mind but that the wounded man is Coffey. Evidently there -is some mischief on foot.” - -And this fact was made certain to the boy when the conductor replied: - -“You may rely on me. I’ll have the car of copper shunted off at -Benson’s Crossing. You had better have your teams on hand as soon after -midnight as possible, for we’re due there at 11:55 p. m. I’ll see to it -that the number of the car is altered to 900, which is the number of an -empty I’ve got to leave at the crossing.” - -“All right,” said Coffey, “we’re going down on the eight o’clock -passenger which stops at Phalanx, a mile this side of Benson’s.” - -The two schemers then crossed over to the end of the freight sheds and -disappeared. - -“So, those scoundrels have arranged to steal my car of ore,” said Jack -to himself, as he walked slowly back the way he had come. “And I’ll bet -it’s not entirely for the value of the stuff they’re doing this either. -They’ve a deeper game. They think now that the mine is in possession -of mere boys that the loss of this carload of pure copper may ruin and -discourage us, and that, through their agents, they stand a good chance -of buying in the mining property cheap. I fancy they’ll find they’re -up against a different kind of proposition. It’s up to me to prepare a -surprise for those chaps at Benson’s Crossing, and I guess I haven’t -any time to lose if I’m going to do it.” - -Jack Howard hoofed it in short order to the office of the division -superintendent and had an interview with that official. - -That gentleman was incredulous at first. - -“What, steal a freight car!” he exclaimed, amazedly. “Impossible! -Nobody could work a scheme like that on our line and get away with it.” - -But Jack succeeded in convincing him that there really was a piece of -villainy on foot, and the superintendent, after considering the matter, -agreed to fall in with the plan proposed by the boy to defeat it. - -At a few minutes after ten that night the eastbound passenger stopped -as per schedule at Phalanx. - -The only passengers to alight on the platform were the disguised Clymer -and his companion in iniquity, Coffey. - -On the other side, however, Jack Howard, the division superintendent, -and three officers of the Marysville police force, stepped off into the -darkness and started at once through the gloom for Benson’s, where they -duly arrived and concealed themselves close to the siding. - -At 11:55 the whistle of the eastbound freight was heard a short -distance down the line. - -Two minutes later the freight slowed up and stopped at the crossing, -and then the car next to the caboose, which bore the number 900, was -shunted on to the siding. - -Then the train went on. - -Ten minutes later several teams appeared, and one of them was backed up -against the freight car. - -The way-bill had previously been torn from the car, and the door left -unsecured. - -Several men provided with shovels came up, and under the direction of -the two villains, whom Jack pointed out to the officers, started in to -unload the car. - -That, however, was as far as they got. - -Half an hour later the night express was signaled at Phalanx, and when -it came to a stop it was boarded by the superintendent, Jack Howard and -the two Marysville officers in charge of the hand-cuffed Otis Clymer -and the saloonkeeper, Coffey. - -Coffey was afterward taken back to Trinity to stand trial for the -murder of Gideon Prawle, and eventually was convicted and executed for -the crime. - -As for Clymer he was taken back to Sackville on a requisition from the -Governor of Nebraska; was tried on the double indictment of attempted -murder and arson, and received a sentence of twenty years in the State -prison. - -Jack Howard went on to New York, disposed of the carload of copper, -which arrived safely, interested a few capitalists in his copper mine, -formed the Pandora Company in accordance with the laws of the State -of New York, had himself elected president and manager, with Meyer -Dinkelspeil for his assistant, while Charlie Fox was elected secretary, -and then returned to the scene of operations in Montana. - -That the Pandora copper mine proved a winner and that Jack Howard -eventually became a millionaire, with Charlie Fox and Meyer Dinkelspeil -rated at least half as much each, is a proven fact, for put into -operation under modern methods the mine turned out ore so fast and -so rich that the newspapers of the day always alluded to it as “A -COPPER HARVEST.” - - -THE END. - - * * * * * - -Read “A LUCKY PENNY; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A BOSTON BOY,” which will be -the next number (11) of “Fame and Fortune Weekly.” - - * * * * * - -SPECIAL NOTICE: All back numbers of this weekly are always in print. If -you cannot obtain them from any newsdealer, send the price in money or -postage stamps by mail to FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 24 UNION SQUARE, NEW -YORK, and you will receive the copies you order by return mail. - - - - - FRANK MANLEY’S WEEKLY - GOOD STORIES OF YOUNG ATHLETES - - =(Formerly “THE YOUNG ATHLETE’S WEEKLY”)= - - =BY “PHYSICAL DIRECTOR”= - - =Issued every Friday. - A 32-PAGE BOOK FOR 5 CENTS. - Handsome Colored Covers.= - -These intensely interesting stories describe the adventures of Frank -Manley, a plucky young athlete, who tries to excel in all kinds of -games and pastimes. Each number contains a story of manly sports, -replete with lively incidents, dramatic situations and a sparkle of -humor. Every popular game will be featured in the succeeding stories, -such as baseball, skating, wrestling, etc. Not only are these stories -the very best, but they teach you how to become strong and healthy. -You can learn to become a trained athlete by reading the valuable -information on physical culture they contain. From time to time the -wonderful Japanese methods of self-protection, called Jiu-Jitsu, will -be explained. A page is devoted to advice on healthy exercises, and -questions on athletic subjects are cheerfully answered by the author -“PHYSICAL DIRECTOR.” - - -ALREADY PUBLISHED: - - 1 Frank Manley’s Real Fight; or, - What the Push-Ball Game Brought About. - 2 Frank Manley’s Lightning Track; or, - Speed’s Part in a Great Crisis. - 3 Frank Manley’s Amazing Vault; or, - Pole and Brains in Deadly Earnest. - 4 Frank Manley’s Gridiron Grill; or, - The Try-Out for Football Grit. - 5 Frank Manley’s Great Line-Up; or, - The Woodstock Eleven on the Jump. - 6 Frank Manley’s Prize Tackle; or, - The Football Tactics that Win. - 7 Frank Manley’s Mad Scrimmage; or, - The Trick that Dazed Bradford. - 8 Frank Manley’s Lion-Hearted Rush; or, - Staking Life on the Outcome. - 9 Frank Manley’s Mad Break Through; or, - Playing Halfback for All It Is Worth. - 10 Frank Manley’s Football Strategy; or, - Beating Tod Owen’s Fake Kick. - 11 Frank Manley’s Jap Ally; or, - How Sato Played the Gridiron Game. - 12 Frank Manley’s Tandem Trick; or, - How Hal Spofford Fooled the Enemy. - 13 Frank Manley’s Whirling Ten-Miler; or, - Making Wind and Fortune Twins. - 14 Frank Manley’s Sweetheart; or, - Winning Out for Kitty Dunstan’s Sake. - -For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt -of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by - - =FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher=, =24 Union Square, New York=. - - * * * * * - -THE YOUNG ATHLETE’S WEEKLY - -By “PHYSICAL DIRECTOR” - - =BE STRONG!= =BE HEALTHY!= - -LATEST ISSUES: - - 12 Frank Manley At the Bat; or, - “The Up-and-at-’em Boys” on the Diamond. - 13 Frank Manley’s Hard Home Hit; or, - The Play That Surprised the Bradfords. - 14 Frank Manley in the Box; or, - The Curve That Rattled Bradford. - 15 Frank Manley’s Scratch Hit; or, - The Luck of “The Up-and-at-’em Boys.” - 16 Frank Manley’s Double Play; or, - The Game That Brought Fortune. - 17 Frank Manley’s All-around Game; or, - Playing All the Nine Positions. - 18 Frank Manley’s Eight-Oared Crew; or, - Tod Owen’s Decoration Day Regatta. - 19 Frank Manley’s Earned Run; or, - The Sprint That Won a Cup. - 20 Frank Manley’s Triple Play; or, - The Only Hope of the Nine. - 21 Frank Manley’s Training Table; or, - Whipping the Nine into Shape. - 22 Frank Manley’s Coaching; or, - The Great Game that “Jackets” Pitched. - 23 Frank Manley’s First League Game; or, - The Fourth of July Battle With Bradford. - 24 Frank Manley’s Match with Giants; or, - The Great Game With the Alton “Grown-Ups.” - 25 Frank Manley’s Training Camp; or, - Getting in Trim for the Greatest Ball Game. - 26 Frank Manley’s Substitute Nine; or, - A Game of Pure Grit. - 27 Frank Manley’s Longest Swim; or, - Battling with Bradford in the Water. - 28 Frank Manley’s Bunch of Hits; or, - Breaking the Season’s Batting Record. - 29 Frank Manley’s Double Game; or, - The Wonderful Four-Team Match. - 30 Frank Manley’s Summer Meet: or, - “Trying Out” the Bradfords. - 31 Frank Manley at His Wits End; or, - Playing Against a Bribed Umpire. - 32 Frank Manley’s Last Ball Game; or, - The Season’s Exciting Good-Bye to the Diamond. - -For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt -of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by - - =FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher=, =24 Union Square, New York=. - - * * * * * - -IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS - -of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be -obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following -Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want -and we will send them to you by return mail. - - =POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.= - - FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. ......190 - Dear Sir--Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: - ....copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos........................................ - ....copies of FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, Nos............................. - ....copies of FRANK MANLEY’S WEEKLY, Nos............................... - ....copies of WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos.................................... - ....copies of THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76, Nos............................. - ....copies of PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos...................................... - ....copies of SECRET SERVICE, Nos...................................... - ....copies of THE YOUNG ATHLETE’S WEEKLY, Nos.......................... - ....copies of Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos................................. - Name.................Street and No................Town..........State.. - - - - -These Books Tell You Everything! - -A COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA! - -Each book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper, in -clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, illustrated cover. Most -of the books are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects -treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that any child can -thoroughly understand them. Look over the list as classified and see if -you want to know anything about the subjects mentioned. - -THESE BOOKS ARE FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR WILL BE SENT BY MAIL TO -ANY ADDRESS FROM THIS OFFICE ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, TEN CENTS EACH, OR -ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE GENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS -MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y. - - -MESMERISM. - -No. 81. HOW TO MESMERIZE.--Containing the most approved methods of -mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of diseases by animal magnetism, -or, magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S., author of “How -to Hypnotize,” etc. - - -PALMISTRY. - -No. 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.--Containing the most approved methods of -reading the lines on the hand, together with a full explanation of -their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, and the key for telling -character by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S. Fully -illustrated. - - -HYPNOTISM. - -No. 83. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.--Containing valuable and instructive -information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also explaining the -most approved methods which are employed by the leading hypnotists of -the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S. - - -SPORTING. - -No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.--The most complete hunting and fishing -guide ever published. It contains full instructions about guns, hunting -dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, together with descriptions of game -and fish. - -No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.--Fully illustrated. Every -boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Full instructions are given -in this little book, together with instructions on swimming and riding, -companion sports to boating. - -No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE.--A complete treatise on -the horse. Describing the most useful horses for business, the best -horses for the road; also valuable recipes for diseases peculiar to the -horse. - -No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES.--A handy book for boys, -containing full directions for constructing canoes and the most popular -manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated. By C. Stansfield Hicks. - - -FORTUNE TELLING. - -No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOK.--Containing the great -oracle of human destiny; also the true meaning of almost any kind of -dreams, together with charms, ceremonies, and curious games of cards. A -complete book. - -No. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.--Everybody dreams, from the little child -to the aged man and woman. This little book gives the explanation -to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days, and -“Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate. - -No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.--Everyone is desirous of knowing what his -future life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or -poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Buy one and be -convinced. Tell your own fortune. Tell the fortune of your friends. - -No. 76. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.--Containing rules for telling -fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, or the secret of palmistry. -Also the secret of telling future events by aid of moles, marks, scars, -etc. Illustrated. By A. Anderson. - - -ATHLETIC. - -No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.--Giving full instruction for the -use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and -various other methods of developing a good, healthy muscle; containing -over sixty illustrations. Every boy can become strong and healthy by -following the instructions contained in this little book. - -No. 10. HOW TO BOX.--The art of self-defense made easy. Containing over -thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the different positions of a -good boxer. Every boy should obtain one of these useful and instructive -books, as it will teach you how to box without an instructor. - -No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.--Containing full instructions for all -kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. Embracing thirty-five -illustrations. By Professor W. Macdonald. A handy and useful book. - -No. 34. HOW TO FENCE.--Containing full instruction for fencing and -the use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. Described -with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best positions in -fencing. A complete book. - - -TRICKS WITH CARDS. - -No. 51. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.--Containing explanations of the -general principles of sleight-of-hand applicable to card tricks; of -card tricks with ordinary cards, and not requiring sleight-of-hand; -of tricks involving sleight-of-hand, or the use of specially prepared -cards. By Professor Haffner. Illustrated. - -No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.--Embracing all of the -latest and most deceptive card tricks, with illustrations. By A. -Anderson. - -No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.--Containing deceptive Card -Tricks as performed by leading conjurors and magicians. Arranged for -home amusement. Fully illustrated. - - -MAGIC. - -No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.--The great book of magic and card tricks, -containing full instruction on all the leading card tricks of the day, -also the most popular magical illusions as performed by our leading -magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book, as it will both -amuse and instruct. - -No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.--Heller’s second sight explained by his -former assistant, Fred Hunt. Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues -were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also -giving all the codes and signals. The only authentic explanation of -second sight. - -No. 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN.--Containing the grandest assortment -of magical illusions ever placed before the public. Also tricks with -cards, incantations, etc. - -No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.--Containing over one hundred -highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemicals. By A. Anderson. -Handsomely illustrated. - -No. 69. HOW TO DO SLEIGHT OF HAND.--Containing over fifty of the latest -and best tricks used by magicians. Also containing the secret of second -sight. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson. - -No. 70. HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS.--Containing full directions for making -Magic Toys and devices of many kinds. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. - -No. 73. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.--Showing many curious tricks -with figures and the magic of numbers. By A. Anderson. Fully -illustrated. - -No. 75. HOW TO BECOME A CONJUROR.--Containing tricks with Dominos, -Dice, Cups and Balls, Hats, etc. Embracing thirty-six illustrations. By -A. Anderson. - -No. 78. HOW TO DO THE BLACK ART.--Containing a complete description -of the mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Hand, together with many -wonderful experiments. By A. Anderson. Illustrated. - - -MECHANICAL. - -No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.--Every boy should know how -inventions originated. This book explains them all, giving examples in -electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, etc. -The most instructive book published. - -No. 56. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGINEER.--Containing full instructions how -to proceed in order to become a locomotive engineer; also directions -for building a model locomotive; together with a full description of -everything an engineer should know. - -No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.--Full directions how to make -a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Æolian Harp, Xylophone and other musical -instruments; together with a brief description of nearly every musical -instrument used in ancient or modern times. Profusely illustrated. By -Algernon S. Fitzgerald, for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal -Marines. - -No. 59. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIC LANTERN.--Containing a description of the -lantern, together with its history and invention. Also full directions -for its use and for painting slides. Handsomely illustrated. By John -Allen. - -No. 71. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.--Containing complete instructions -for performing over sixty Mechanical Tricks. By A. Anderson. Fully -illustrated. - - -LETTER WRITING. - -No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.--A most complete little book, -containing full directions for writing love-letters, and when to use -them, giving specimen letters for young and old. - -No. 12. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIES.--Giving complete instructions -for writing letters to ladles on all subjects; also letters of -introduction, notes and requests. - -No. 24. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO GENTLEMEN.--Containing full directions -for writing to gentlemen on all subjects; also giving sample letters -for instruction. - -No. 53. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS.--A wonderful little book, telling you -how to write to your sweetheart, your father, mother, sister, brother, -employer; and, in fact, everybody and anybody you wish to write to. -Every young man and every young lady in the land should have this book. - -No. 74. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORRECTLY.--Containing full instructions -for writing letters on almost any subject; also rules for punctuation -and composition, with specimen letters. - - -THE STAGE. - -No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE BOOK.--Containing a great -variety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No amateur -minstrel is complete without this wonderful little book. - -No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPEAKER.--Containing a varied -assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s -jokes. Just the thing for home amusement and amateur shows. - -No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.--Something -new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it -contains full instructions for organizing an amateur minstrel troupe. - -No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.--This is one of the most original joke books -ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large -collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, etc., of Terrence Muldoon, the -great wit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Every boy who can -enjoy a good substantial joke should obtain a copy immediately. - -No. 79. HOW TO BECOME AN ACTOR.--Containing complete instructions how -to make up for various characters on the stage; together with the -duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and Property Man. -By a prominent Stage Manager. - -No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.--Containing the latest jokes, -anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and ever popular -German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome colored cover containing a -half-tone photo of the author. - - -HOUSEKEEPING. - -No. 16. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.--Containing full instructions -for constructing a window garden either in town or country, and the -most approved methods for raising beautiful flowers at home. The most -complete book of the kind ever published. - -No. 30. HOW TO COOK.--One of the most instructive books on cooking -ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, game, and -oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of pastry, and a -grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular cooks. - -No. 37. HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.--It contains information for everybody, -boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to make almost -anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, brackets, cements, -Aeolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. - - -ELECTRICAL. - -No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY.--A description of the -wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism; together with -full Instructions for making Electric Toys, Batteries, etc. By George -Trebel, A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty illustrations. - -No. 64. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES.--Containing full directions -for making electrical machines, induction coils, dynamos, and many -novel toys to be worked by electricity. By R. A. R. Bennett. Fully -illustrated. - -No. 67. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.--Containing a large collection -of instructive and highly amusing electrical tricks, together with -illustrations. By A. Anderson. - - -ENTERTAINMENT. - -No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.--By Harry Kennedy. The secret -given away. Every intelligent boy reading this book of instructions, -by a practical professor (delighting multitudes every night with his -wonderful imitations), can master the art, and create any amount of fun -for himself and friends. It is the greatest book ever published, and -there’s millions (of fun) in it. - -No. 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY.--A very valuable little -book just published. A complete compendium of games, sports, -card diversions, comic recitations, etc., suitable for parlor or -drawing-room entertainment. It contains more for the money than any -book published. - -No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.--A complete and useful little book, -containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatelle, -backgammon, croquet, dominoes, etc. - -No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS.--Containing all the leading conundrums -of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches and witty sayings. - -No. 52. HOW TO PLAY CARDS.--A complete and handy little book, giving -the rules and full directions for playing Euchre, Cribbage, Casino, -Forty-Five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, All Fours, -and many other popular games of cards. - -No. 66. HOW TO DO PUZZLES.--Containing over three hundred interesting -puzzles and conundrums, with key to same. A complete book. Fully -illustrated. By A. Anderson. - - -ETIQUETTE. - -No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.--It is a great life -secret, and one that every young man desires to know all about. There’s -happiness in it. - -No. 33. HOW TO BEHAVE.--Containing the rules and etiquette of good -society and the easiest and most approved methods of appearing to -good advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and in the -drawing-room. - - -DECLAMATION. - -No. 27. HOW TO RECITE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS.--Containing the most -popular selections in use, comprising Dutch dialect, French dialect, -Yankee and Irish dialect pieces, together with many standard readings. - -No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER.--Containing fourteen illustrations, -giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, -reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular -authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the most simple and concise -manner possible. - -No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE.--Giving rules for conducting debates, outlines -for debates, questions for discussion, and the best sources for -procuring information on the questions given. - - -SOCIETY. - -No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.--The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully -explained by this little book. Besides the various methods of -handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it -contains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which -is interesting to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy -without one. - -No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of a new and handsome little book just -issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instructions in the art of -dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, how to dress, and -full directions for calling off in all popular square dances. - -No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.--A complete guide to love, courtship and -marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to be observed, -with many curious and interesting things not generally known. - -No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.--Containing full instruction in the art of -dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections -of colors, material, and how to have them made up. - -No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.--One of the brightest and most -valuable little books ever given to the world. Everybody wishes to know -how to become beautiful, both male and female. The secret is simple, -and almost costless. Read this book and be convinced how to become -beautiful. - - -BIRDS AND ANIMALS. - -No. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.--Handsomely illustrated and containing -full instructions for the management and training of the canary, -mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc. - -No. 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS AND RABBITS.--A useful and -instructive book. Handsomely illustrated. By Ira Drofraw. - -No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.--Including hints on how to catch -moles, weasels, otters, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure -skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington Keene. - -No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.--A valuable book, giving -instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, -animals and insects. - -No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE PETS.--Giving complete information as -to the manner and method of raising, keeping, taming, breeding, and -managing all kinds of pets; also giving full instructions for making -cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illustrations, making it -the most complete book of the kind ever published. - - -MISCELLANEOUS. - -No. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST.--A useful and instructive book, -giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also experiments in acoustics, -mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and directions for making fireworks, -colored fires, and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled. - -No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.--A complete hand-book for making all kinds -of candy, ice-cream, syrups, essences, etc., etc. - -No. 34. HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHOR.--Containing full information regarding -choice of subjects, the use of words and the manner of preparing and -submitting manuscript. Also containing valuable information as to the -neatness, legibility and general composition of manuscript, essential -to a successful author. By Prince Hiland. - -No 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.--A wonderful book, containing -useful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases -and ailments common to every family. Abounding in useful and effective -recipes for general complaints. - -No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.--Containing valuable -information regarding the collecting and arranging of stamps and coins. -Handsomely illustrated. - -No. 58. HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.--By Old King Brady, the world-known -detective. In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules -for beginners, and also relates some adventures and experiences of -well-known detectives. - -No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER.--Containing useful information -regarding the Camera and how to work it; also how to make Photographic -Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. Handsomely illustrated. -By Captain W. De W. Abney. - -No. 62. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILITARY CADET.--Containing full -explanations how to gain admittance, course of Study, Examinations, -Duties, Staff of Officers, Post Guard, Police Regulations, Fire -Department, and all a boy should know to be a Cadet. Compiled and -written by Lu Senarens, author of “How to Become a Naval Cadet.” - -No. 63. HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.--Complete instructions of how to -gain admission to the Annapolis Naval Academy. Also containing the -course of instruction, description of grounds and buildings, historical -sketch, and everything a boy should know to become an officer in the -United States Navy. Compiled and written by Lu Senarens, author of “How -to Become a West Point Military Cadet.” - - -=PRICE 10 CENTS EACH, OR 3 FOR 25 CENTS.= - -=Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York.= - - - - -THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76 - -A Weekly Magazine containing Stories of the American Revolution. - -=By HARRY MOORE.= - - * * * * * - -These stories are based on actual facts and give a faithful account of -the exciting adventures of a brave band of American youths who were -always ready and willing to imperil their lives for the sake of helping -along the gallant cause of Independence. Every number will consist of -32 large pages of reading matter, bound in a beautiful colored cover. - - -LATEST ISSUES: - - 186 The Liberty Boys on the Hudson; or, - Working on the Water. - 187 The Liberty Boys at Germantown; or, - Good Work in a Good Cause. - 188 The Liberty Boys’ Indian Decoy; or, - The Fight on Quaker Hill. - 189 The Liberty Boys Afloat; or, - Sailing With Paul Jones. - 190 The Liberty Boys in Mohawk Valley; or, - Fighting Redcoats, Tories and Indians. - 191 The Liberty Boys Left Behind; or, - Alone in the Enemy’s Country. - 192 The Liberty Boys at Augusta; or, - ’Way Down in Georgia. - 193 The Liberty Boys’ Swamp Camp; or, - Fighting and Hiding. - 194 The Liberty Boys in Gotham; or, - Daring Work in the Great City. - 195 The Liberty Boys and Kosciusko; or, - The Fight at Great Falls. - 196 The Liberty Boys’ Girl Scout; or, - Fighting Butler’s Rangers. - 197 The Liberty Boys at Budd’s Crossing; or, - Hot Work in Cold Weather. - 198 The Liberty Boys’ Raft; or, - Floating and Fighting. - 199 The Liberty Boys at Albany; or, - Saving General Schuyler. - 200 The Liberty Boys’ Good Fortune; or, - Sent on Secret Service. - 201 The Liberty Boys at Johnson’s Mill; or, - A Hard Grist to Grind. - 202 The Liberty Boys’ Warning; or, - A Tip that Came in Time. - 203 The Liberty Boys with Washington; or, - Hard Times at Valley Forge. - 204 The Liberty Boys after Brant; or, - Chasing the Indian Raiders. - 205 The Liberty Boys at Red Bank; or, - Routing the Hessians. - 206 The Liberty Boys and the Riflemen; or, - Helping all They Could. - 207 The Liberty Boys at the Mischianza; or, - Good-by to General Howe. - 208 The Liberty Boys and Pulaski; or, - The Polish Patriot. - 209 The Liberty Boys at Hanging Rock; or, - The “Carolina Game Cock.” - 210 The Liberty Boys on the Pedee; or, - Maneuvering with Marion. - 211 The Liberty Boys at Guilford Courthouse; or, - A Defeat that Proved a Victory. - 212 The Liberty Boys at Sanders’ Creek; or, - The Error of General Gates. - 213 The Liberty Boys on a Raid; or, - Out with Colonel Brown. - 214 The Liberty Boys at Gowanus Creek; or, - For Liberty and Independence. - 215 The Liberty Boys’ Skirmish; or, - At Green Spring Plantation. - 216 The Liberty Boys and the Governor; or, - Tryon’s Conspiracy. - 217 The Liberty Boys in Rhode Island; or, - Doing Duty Down East. - 218 The Liberty Boys After Tarleton; or, - Bothering the “Butcher.” - 219 The Liberty Boys’ Daring Dash; or, - Death Before Defeat. - 220 The Liberty Boys and the Mutineers; or, - Helping “Mad Anthony.” - 221 The Liberty Boys Out West; or, - The Capture of Vincennes. - 222 The Liberty Boys at Princeton; or, - Washington’s Narrow Escape. - 223 The Liberty Boys Heartbroken; or, - The Desertion of Dick. - 224 The Liberty Boys in the Highlands; or, - Working Along the Hudson. - 225 The Liberty Boys at Hackensack; or, - Beating Back the British. - 226 The Liberty Boys’ Keg of Gold; or, - Captain Kidd’s Legacy. - 227 The Liberty Boys at Bordentown; or, - Guarding the Stores. - 228 The Liberty Boys’ Best Act; or, - The Capture of Carlisle. - 229 The Liberty Boys on the Delaware; or, - Doing Daring Deeds. - 230 The Liberty Boys’ Long Race; or, - Beating the Redcoats Out. - 231 The Liberty Boys Deceived; or, - Dick Slater’s Double. - 232 The Liberty Boys’ Boy Allies; or, - Young, But Dangerous. - 233 The Liberty Boys’ Bitter Cup; or, - Beaten Back at Brandywine. - 234 The Liberty Boys’ Alliance; or, - The Reds Who Helped. - 235 The Liberty Boys on the War-Path; or, - After the Enemy. - 236 The Liberty Boys After Cornwallis; or, - Worrying the Earl. - 237 The Liberty Boys and the Liberty Bell; or, - How They Saved It. - 238 The Liberty Boys and Lydia Darrah; or, - A Wonderful Woman’s Warning. - 239 The Liberty Boys at Perth Amboy; or, - Franklin’s Tory Son. - 240 The Liberty Boys and the “Midget”; or, - Good Goods in a Small Package. - 241 The Liberty Boys at Frankfort; or, - Routing the “Queen’s Rangers.” - 242 The Liberty Boys and General Lacey; or, - Cornered at the “Crooked Billet.” - 243 The Liberty Boys at the Farewell Fete; or, - Frightening the British With Fire. - 244 The Liberty Boys’ Gloomy Time; or, - Darkest Before Dawn. - 245 The Liberty Boys on the Neuse River; or, - Campaigning in North Carolina. - 246 The Liberty Boys and Benedict Arnold; or, - Hot Work With a Traitor. - 247 The Liberty Boys Excited; or, - Doing Whirlwind Work. - 248 The Liberty Boys’ Odd Recruit; or, - The Boy Who Saw Fun in Everything. - 249 The Liberty Boys’ Fair Friend; or, - The Woman Who Helped. - 250 The Liberty Boys “Stumped”; or, - The Biggest Puzzle of All. - 251 The Liberty Boys in New York Bay; or, - Difficult and Dangerous Work. - 252 The Liberty Boys’ Own Mark; or, - Trouble for the Tories. - 253 The Liberty Boys at Newport; or, - The Rhode Island Campaign. - 254 The Liberty Boys and “Black Joe”; or, - The Negro Who Helped. - 255 The Liberty Boys Hard at Work; or, - After the Marauders. - 256 The Liberty Boys and the “Shirtmen”; or, - Helping the Virginia Riflemen. - 257 The Liberty Boys at Fort Nelson; or, - The Elizabeth River Campaign. - 258 The Liberty Boys and Captain Betts; or, - Trying to Down Tryon. - -For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt -of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by - -=FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher,= =24 Union Square, New York.= - - -IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS - -of our libraries, and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can -be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following -Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and -we will send them to you by return mail. - - =POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.= - - FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. ......190 - Dear Sir--Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: - ....copies of FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, Nos............................. - ....copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos........................................ - ....copies of FRANK MANLEY’S WEEKLY, Nos............................... - ....copies of WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos.................................... - ....copies of PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos...................................... - ....copies of SECRET SERVICE, Nos...................................... - ....copies of THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76, Nos............................. - ....copies of THE YOUNG ATHLETE’S WEEKLY, Nos.......................... - ....copies of Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos................................. - Name.................Street and No................Town..........State.. - - - - - Fame and Fortune Weekly - _STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY_ - - By A SELF-MADE MAN - - =32 Pages of Reading Matter :: Handsome Colored Covers= - - =PRICE 5 CENTS A COPY= - - =A New One Issued Every Friday= - - -This Weekly contains interesting stories of smart boys, who win -fame and fortune by their ability to take advantage of passing -opportunities. Some of these stories are founded on true incidents in -the lives of our most successful self-made men, and show how a boy of -pluck, perseverance and brains can become famous and wealthy. Every one -of this series contains a good moral tone which makes “Fame and Fortune -Weekly” a magazine for the home, although each number is replete with -exciting adventures. The stories are the very best obtainable, the -illustrations are by expert artists, and every effort is constantly -being made to make it the best weekly on the news stands. Tell your -friends about it. - - -ALREADY PUBLISHED. - - 1 A Lucky Deal; or, The Cutest Boy in Wall Street. - - 2 Born to Good Luck; or, The Boy Who Succeeded. - - 3 A Corner in Corn; or, How a Chicago Boy Did the Trick. - - 4 A Game of Chance; or, The Boy Who Won Out. - - 5 Hard to Beat; or, The Cleverest Boy in Wall Street. - - 6 Building a Railroad; or, The Young Contractors of Lakeview. - - 7 Winning His Way; or, The Youngest Editor in Green River. - - 8 The Wheel of Fortune; or, The Record of a Self-Made Boy. - - 9 Nip and Tuck; or, The Young Brokers of Wall Street. - - 10 A Copper Harvest; or, The Boys Who Worked a Deserted Mine. - -For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt -of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by - -=FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher= * * * =24 Union Square, New York= - - -IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS - -of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be -obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following -Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and -we will send them to you by return mail. =POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME -AS MONEY.= - - FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. ......190 - Dear Sir--Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: - ....copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos........................................ - ....copies of FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, Nos............................. - ....copies of FRANK MANLEY’S WEEKLY, Nos............................... - ....copies of WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos.................................... - ....copies of THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76, Nos............................. - ....copies of PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos...................................... - ....copies of SECRET SERVICE, Nos...................................... - ....copies of YOUNG ATHLETE’S WEEKLY, Nos.............................. - ....copies of TEN-CENT HANDBOOKS, Nos.................................. - Name.................Street and No................Town..........State.. - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - - -A number of typographical errors were corrected silently. - -Cover image is in the public domain. - -Dittoes were replaced with the repeated words. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, NO. -10, DECEMBER 8, 1905 *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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